Department of Health-Mimaropa (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo, together with the provincial health officials of Occidental Mindoro, formally opened the second HIV/AIDS satellite treatment center in the region inside the Occidental Mindoro Provincial Hospital in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.
“We are targeting to establish one treatment center per province so that anyone who wishes to be tested can freely visit any testing center located in his or her province. This is one of our government’s thrusts of bringing health services closer to the vulnerable sector of our society,” Janairo stated at the opening of the treatment center on April 4.
“With this facility in place, we can provide immediate free treatment services to HIV patients in the province. Knowing one’s HIV status, whether positive or not is the key to prevent the spread of the virus in the community. There is still no cure for the virus, and it is dangerously transmissible,” he added. The HIV/AIDS satellite treatment center is based in the principles of Anonymity, Respect, Understanding, Guidance, Advocacy (ARUGA) It will provide safe, comprehensive and compassionate care to HIV/AIDS patients. Its functions also include the management of HIV/AIDS patients through counseling and therapy. Free treatment services will be given to HIV patients in the province. Voluntary visits will be treated confidentially.
According to the January 2017 records of the HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines, there is one HIV/AIDS positive and one asymptomatic cases identified in Oriental Mindoro and two asymptomatic cases in Palawan.
According to Janairo, the health department has been providing free antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to HIV positive patients to prevent the virus from multiplying inside the body. From 1984 to present there were a total of 39 positive cases and 316 asymptomatic cases identified in Mimaropa. There were two from Marinduque; three from Occidental Mindoro; 14 from Oriental Mindoro; 17 from Palawan; and three from Romblon. Most of the cases were male, four positive cases and 329 asymptomatic patients. At least 26 female asymptomatic cases were recorded, while 43 HIV/AIDS cases among OFWs were documented. There were 17 deaths reported. The Mimaropa region contributes 1 percent to the total percentage of newly diagnosed cases per region.
The major mode of transmission is through bisexual contact, second is homosexual and the third is through heterosexual contact. Last, women living with HIV can also spread the virus to their children during pregnancy or lactation.
HIV refers to the human immunodeficiency virus. It is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system and then causes AIDS or Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome, which is life threatening but a preventable disease.
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