CONCERNING INCREASE OF HIV CASES IN THE COUNTRY, DOH


Continues increase on HIV cases per day, alarming (Photo courtesy of Rappler)
The Department of Health (DOH) is concerned about the continuous increase in new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the country. Some advocacy groups are helping the DOH in disseminating correct information and countering the negative view of the disease.
According to the DOH data, almost 130,000 HIV cases were recorded from 1984 to March 2024. But from January to March this year, there were more than 3,410 new cases where eight out of every ten were men who had sex with other men.
31% of the cases this March were between the ages of 15-24. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa is concerned about the recorded 55 new cases of HIV every day.
Anybody can contract AIDS, the advanced stage of HIV infection, through sharing needles, mother-to-child transmission, or unprotected intercourse.
Due to this possible obstacle in the treatment of HIV in children, Herbosa proposed a method in which "they can allow the doctors or a guardian to allow the ARVs to be had."
According to him, the government can only supply ARVs through the public insurer PhilHealth.
“The Department of Health does not judge your sexual preferences, but we have to be ready. Because the fact is that you are infected. We have to protect them, we have to keep them healthy," DOH Spokesperson Asec. Albert Domingo said.
The DOH wants to mainstream or make HIV screening and treatment part of primary health care services. Something that the volunteer community "love yourself" has been doing for a long time with the offer of free screening, check-up, laboratory tests and treatment for HIV.
According to the volunteer community, social media can help spread more knowledge about HIV. It is also important to know how the disease is transmitted to combat the stigma or negative perception of it.
Source: ABS-CBN News
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