AIDS wastes 17 in Western Visayas
BY T. VILLAVERT

ILOILO CITY - AIDS has already claimed the lives of 17 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs), out of the 47 in Western Visayas who have been afflicted with the disease, according to Ms. Charity Perea, HIV/AIDS Coordinator of the Department of Health (DOH) during the AIDS Candlelight Memorial at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Grounds, recently.
The relatively low figure, however, is no reason to let down our guard, Perea said. "It is possible that there are several PLWHAs out there, who are afraid and or ashamed to come out".
The remaining 30 PLWHAs are those who bravely came out and sought medical assistance from the DOH and other NGOs.
HIV refers to the Human immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system and then causes AIDS. AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a fatal syndrome because the progressive damage to the body's immune system leaves people highly susceptible to contracting certain diseases.
Perea emphasized that there is no cure for AIDS, but a person infected with the virus can extend his/her life and improve the quality of his/her life in a number of ways.
She mentioned of the anti-retroviral drugs (ARV) which help reduce mortality and morbidity, but these are very expensive.
PLWHAs who turn themselves confidentially with the DOH, are given medical assistance. Some of the PLWHAs in the region are openly joining in the advocacy of the government to prevent and control HIV/AIDS.
The Regional HIV/AIDS Coordinator was happy to declare during the program that Western Visayas is the only Region in the country that has organized the PLWHAs and likewise several government and non-government organizations closely helping the DOH raise public awareness on HIV/AIDS.