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Pangasinan records 97 HIV cases in 1st half of 2019

By Hilda Austria

October 28, 2019, 8:42 pm

DAGUPAN CITY -- Pangasinan recorded some 97 confirmed cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from January to June this year, but the provincial health office (PHO) has clarified that the victims may be or may not be in the province.
 
“The victims may be here in the province or may not be here because we no longer do the contact tracing based on Republic Act 11166 to guarantee confidentiality of those who have themselves tested. They give us data and number per respective cities or municipalities but it is only for the sake of planning and monitoring. It is possible that some of them are outside the province but they may have placed Pangasinan as their residence,” Kenneth Dacion, HIV-AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) program coordinator of PHO, said in an interview Monday.
 
Dacion disclosed that of the total number during the first half of the year, three confirmed HIV cases have themselves tested in the province.
 
He said the provincial government is continuously conducting intensified information campaign (HIV Awareness Talk) in different local government units (LGUs) and schools to heighten awareness regarding the disease.  
 
Dacion said based from their data, 80 percent of the confirmed cases are between 15 to 35 years old.
 
“The youth and young professionals are high risk population hence, we are holding awareness campaigns in schools,” he said.
 
He added they also conduct meetings in social hygiene clinics and treatment facilities to strengthen service delivery network for HIV victims.
 
Dacion also encouraged the LGUs to activate their Local AIDS Council, which the law requires to address the increasing number of HIV cases in their respective cities or municipalities.
 
The law, he said, also lowered the age from 18 to 15 of those who are allowed to be tested without consent.
 
“Before, only 18 years old and above are allowed to undergo testing without consent, but now as early as 15 years old if they are sexually active. They may have themselves tested without consent from their parents or guardians. The test can be availed for free in public hospitals and clinics and it will be confidential,” Dacion explained.
 
He added the treatment for positive cases can be availed for free with the help of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
 
PhilHealth covers PHP7,500 per quarter or PHP30,000 in a year for the treatment of confirmed HIV-AIDS in the treatment hubs, such as the Region 1 Medical Center in this city.
 
Dacion urged regular testing for sexually active people.
 
“The only way to know if you are positive is to have yourself tested because the symptoms are very similar with other diseases. The symptoms may show after three months of contact. We also conduct counseling to correct wrong assumptions about HIV-AIDS,” he said.
 
Meanwhile, Dacion said HIV-AIDS can be prevented through the “ABCDEF” method.
 
A stands for abstinence; B -- be faithful to your partner or wife or husband; C -- correct and consistent use of condom; D -- do not use drugs and drink alcohol; E -- educate everyone about the disease; F -- follow-up every six months if you are sexually active.
 
He also advised the parents to discuss sex education with their children. (PNA)
 

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