ZAMBOANGA CITY – The City Health Office through its Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC) is continuously conducting advocacy in a bid to slow down the increase of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) cases in this city.
Dr. Dulce Amor Dagalea-Miravite, city health officer, on Monday said her office has recorded 16 HIV cases with three deaths in the first quarter of this year.
Miravite said the city now has 388 HIV-AIDS cases with 65 deaths since 1995.
Of the total, 360 of those infected with HIV were males while the remaining 28 were females.
Miravite said the RHWC is focusing the conduct of advocacy in schools, barangays and offices to instill public awareness on how to avoid being infected with HIV.
She said included in the advocacy are sexually transmitted infections aside from HIV.
She said they also advocate for abstinence, correct and consistent condom use, and illegal drugs prevention.
HIV is the virus that carries Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which attacks the immune system of an individual.
Dagalea said they are also encouraging individuals with risky sexual behavior to voluntarily undergo HIV testing.
“If you asses you are engaging into risky sexual behavior, it’s wise that you get yourself tested and know your status,” Dagalea said.
She said that treatment is available at the Zamboanga City Medical Center, where HIV positive individuals may avail of anti-retroviral drugs. (PNA)
