VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH)-Region 1’s Infectious Diseases Cluster urged communities to support the fight against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Dr. Rheuel Bobis, head of the Infectious Diseases Cluster, said “Iyong tema po ng ating selebrasyon ngayong taon ay ‘Let communities lead’, binibigyang halaga po nito yong kontribusyon ng komunidad natin sa paglaban sa HIV at AIDS.”
Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Infectious Diseases Cluster Head Doctor Rheuel Bobis during the Ammuentayo radio program. PIA/ATV
According to Dr. Bobis, the DOH conducts community-based screening and testing of HIV, and they train community-based motivators and HIV-proficient medical technologists who may screen the vulnerable population.
He encouraged sexually active individuals to check their status and go to social hygiene clinics to get tested for free.
He also assured the confidentiality of their results.
Moreover, he called on the families and loved ones of the people living with HIV to keep showing their support to those fighting their illness.
He said, “Huwag po natin silang layuan, hindi po natin nakukuha ang HIV at AIDS sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-usap lamang sa kanila; kahit po yakapin natin sila hindi po tayo mahahawa.”
HIV Screening of vulnerable population held in Santiago, Ilocos Sur. (File photo from DOH-Ilocos)
“Kailangan din po nila ng higit na suporta galing sa kanilang pamilya at sa kanilang kaibigan para sa pakikipaglaban sa kanilang karamdaman,” Bobis said in an interview for the Ammuentayo program of PIA Ilocos Sur on Sunday.
The DOH provides free antiretroviral drugs to people living with HIV and community-based screening and testing for free in treatment hubs and primary care HIV facilities including the Ilocos Sur Provincial Hospital – Gabriela Silang in Vigan City, and the Lacasandile Medical Clinic and Diagnostic Center in Tagudin, both in Ilocos Sur.
“Patuloy din po ang pamimigay natin ng proteksyon, provision ng condoms, at information, education, and communication materials para mas tumaas ang awareness ng ating kababayan patungkol sa HIV and AIDS,” Bobis said.
The DOH disclosed that there were a total of 296 cases of HIV and AIDS in the Ilocos region recorded from January 1, 2023, to July 30, 2023.
According to the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU), 45 new HIV cases were recorded in July 2023.
The province of Pangasinan logged the highest number of confirmed cases with 28, followed by Ilocos Sur with six, Ilocos Norte and La Union both with four cases and Dagupan City with three. (JCR/AMB/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)
