16 May Cagayan de Oro 2nd in Nationwide HIV Prevalence Rate
Image Source | newsinfo.inquirer.net
On Sunday, May 15, Misamis Oriental Cagayan de Oro Aids Network (Mocan) and other Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-Aids) advocates reminded the people to be conscious of the effects if HIV-aids and take part in giving the public information about the danger of such disease.
In terms of HIV prevalence rate, CDO ranks second nationwide.
“Every week, gasaka siya (HIV-Aids) and CdeO is number 2 in terms of prevalence and incidence,” said Fritzie Estoque, the current Mocan chairperson.
Male having sex with male (MSM) is the common reason of the transmission of the disease. With the people who are doing MSM, only 15% knows the preventive measures to counter HIV. Also, only 36% of those who performs MSM use a condom consistently.
It is also known that the third gender advocacy of various parties nationwide encouraged those who are doubtful in their status and ignite more young people to engage with MSM, increasing the incidence rate of HIV-aids transmission in the city.
Estoque said, “Kinahanglan nato magsaba-saba nga fruitful para maka disseminate sa information. We desire to save more people ang mga natakdan, they need to get help para mas molungtad ilang kinabuhi.”
She also added, “Do something in your respective field, these people living with HIV-Aids want to feel love because most of them are victims of stigma and discrimination,” citing that HIV-aids prevention must be a personal advocacy.
HIV-aids prevention budget is lacking and is yearning to have more budget for the drugs and laboratory tests for the patients. The government allocated budget from the health department in 2015 is P35,000 per patient per year; P19,000 for laboratory tests and P16,000 for Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.
Last weekend, Mocan showed an exhibit named as “Hinulibis” or quilt; these are pieces of cloth gathered from people living with HIV. This will serve as a symbol for those who are struggling with the battle of HIV and those who have died with HIV.
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