DAVAO CITY—The City Health Office has urged barangay councils to strengthen campaign on the importance of testing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) amid the alarming increase in cases of the disease in the region.
According to Pricilla Senoc, Health Education and Population Officer of the CHO, it was important for community leaders to participate in the awareness and prevention program on HIV-AIDS.
“We have 182 barangays and if these barangays will engage in the HIV prevention program, we can reverse the [rise in] cases of HIV in Davao,” she said.
Out of the 182 barangays, the CHO has so far covered 50 barangays in the campaign for HIV-AIDS prevention.
Senoc revealed that as of January 2018, there are already 2,330 cases of HIV with 109 deaths in Davao City based on the report of the Epidemiological Bureau of the Department of Health.
Currently, the Davao Region ranks 6th among regions with the most number of HIV cases in the country. The National Capital Region, Region 4-A, Region 7, Region 3 and Region 6 are on top 1,2,3,4, and 5, respectively.
“In the Philippines, an average of 32 cases of HIV infections are recorded per day,” Senoc added.
The health officer further urged residents to have themselves checked as these tests are offered for free at the CHO, as well as the Southern Philippines Medical Center.
Senoc reminded the public that to prevent HIV-AIDS, one should practice abstinence, monogamy, and safe sex; and refrain from using used syringes.