One person diagnosed with HIV in WV in every 13 hours

ONE PERSON is diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Western Visayas every 13 hours, according to Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD)-6.

Caroline Tumabotabo, Nurse V of CHD-6, said Western Visayas ranked fifth in the country in terms of the percentage of new HIV cases in August 2018.

“From 1986 to August 2018, there are 2, 741 recorded cases in the region. Out of this, 2, 263 were asymptomatic cases and 478 are considered advanced or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases,” Tumabotabo added.

Monalisa Diones, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP)-Iloilo Program Manager, said they also noted an increase in the number of reported HIV and AIDS deaths.

“The increase in cases can be attributed to better reporting and case finding,” Diones said.

Meanwhile, DOH-6 recorded 278 deaths with the most number of deaths in Iloilo City (20), followed by Iloilo province with 13; Bacolod City with 11; and Negros Occidental with 7.

In Western Visayas, there are five treatment hubs namely, Western Visayas Medical Center and The Medical City in Iloilo, Angel Salazar Memorial Hospital in Antique, Corazon Locsin Memorial Hospital in Negros and Dr. Rafael Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in Aklan.

Aside from free initial laboratories and free services, DOH-6 said that they have also extended their clinic hours from 8 am to 8 pm in their treatment hubs.

In line, with the World AIDS Day celebration on December 1, DOH will be organizing campus tours and a Search for HIV/AIDS Advocacy Ambassadors.

The campus tour aims to spread awareness amongst students to help prevent the spread of the disease while the annual search will be seeking ambassadors that will champion on informing the public about the disease.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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