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Bulacan intensifies drive against HIV

By Manny Balbin

July 3, 2019, 4:40 pm

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan -- With the rising cases of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV-AIDS) in this province, the provincial government of Bulacan is beefing up anew its advocacy and awareness campaign.

Dr. Jocelyn Gomez, Provincial Health Officer, on Tuesday cited the need to equip residents with the right knowledge about HIV and AIDS to effectively combat the disease.

Data from the Provincial Health Office showed Bulacan has the highest number of HIV cases recorded in Central Luzon with 136 newly-diagnosed cases from January to March 2019.

According to statistics, from 1984 up to the present, Bulacan has 2,188 recorded cases, with the youngest patient being 15 years old. The most affected have ages between 15 and 34 years old.

Gomez said they make sure that anyone who is HIV positive will be made to undergo treatment in the province's facilities for free.

“If the treatment is continuous, it has a possibility that the virus will be undetectable in their bodies and eventually they will not be able to transmit HIV to others,” she said.

Patricia Ann Alvaro, health education promotion officer of the Provincial Health Office, said that currently there are seven active treatment facilities in Bulacan.

These are the Luntiang Silong, located at the 3rd Floor, Pay 3-Room 301 of the Bulacan Medical Center in Barangay Mojon, Malolos City; EmbrACE Unit at ACE Medical Center in Baliwag; Gintong Kanlungan at Guiguinto Rural Health Unit II in Barangay Tiaong, Guiguinto; Kanaryong Silungan at Marilao Rural Health Unit I; Home of Bamboo at Meycauayan Rural Health Unit I; Villa Ezperanza at Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose Del Monte and; Green Clinic at Santa Maria Rural Health Unit in Barangay Caypombo, Santa Maria, Bulacan.

Likewise, Gomez said that all towns and cities in Bulacan have testing facilities and are now equipped with trained HIV peer counselor, HIV peer educator and HIV proficient medical technologists and all of them can test HIV.

According to the World Health Organization, HIV can be transmitted via the exchange of a variety of body fluids from infected individuals, such as blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal secretions.

However, the risk of HIV infection can be reduced by limiting exposure to risk factors, including correct and consistent use of condoms, and testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections for all people exposed to any of the risk factors, among others. (PNA)

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