Boracay vulnerable to HIV infections
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan - The Department of Health (DoH) has intensified its education campaign to increase awareness amid the rising number of patients affected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections.
At least 18 cases in Aklan, mostly overseas workers who had acquired the HIV through sexual contacts, were reported to the DOH, according to Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Emma Cortes.
From May 1994 to December 2009, Western Visayas recorded 86 cases and in 2010, 24 new cases of persons living with HIVs were registered, data of DOH showed.
Speaking at the Kapihan sa Aklan, Debbie Villaflor of PHO-Aklan said OFWs accounted for most of HIV cases with 46 percent which include seafarers, domestic helpers, land-based contract workers, paramedical workers and entertainers. Almost 98 percent of HIV infections are transmitted by sexual intercourse and 2 percent by blood transmission, the DOH said.
In Western Visayas, there are 16 hospitals with HIV/AIDS Core Team, 63 Local AIDS Councils, 22 Social Hygiene Clinics, two treatment hubs in Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo and Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Negros Occidental and one private hospital with a CD4 machine.
In collaboration with the provincial government, the DOH will set up a treatment hub at the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital to support the treatment and care program for persons living with HIV/AIDS. With this facility, patients found positive of HIV could seek anti-retroviral treatment from DOH.
"A team of volunteers from United States Peace Corps, Provincial Health Office, Philippine National Red Cross and the Aklan Population Office will also conduct information campaign on schools in Aklan on December 7 to prevent the spread of HIV, " Cortes said.
Cortes said the province is also a vulnerable area to HIV infections considering the island of Boracay is frequented by foreign tourists.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS affects the immune system and leaves individuals susceptible to infections and tumors. It is transmitted through direct contact of a mucous membrane or the bloodstream with an HIV-infected body fluid.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS affects the immune system and leaves individuals susceptible to infections and tumors. It is transmitted through direct contact of a mucous membrane or the bloodstream with an HIV-infected body fluid.
The virus can be transmitted through anal, vaginal or oral sex with HIV-infected person, the use of HIV-contaminated hypodermic needles and blood transfusion.
It is a fundamental right of any human being, to be enabled to equip themselves in defense against disease. Yet the primary weapon for defense against HIV infection, the humble condom, is prohibited for sale or import within the Republic of the Philippine Islands. This is not a moral issue, this is a health issue and should be addressed as such, the laws forbidding contraception in the RPI should be repealed on the grounds of fundamental human rights, allow Filipino and Filipina alike to defend themselves against this disease, wake up church and state, make condoms available.
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