Baguio posts 61 new AIDS/HIV cases

DOH-CAR ups campaign vs dreaded diseases 

BAGUIO CITY -- The Dept. of Health Cordillera has intensified its campaign to stop increasing number of individuals affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) following rising number of cases.

DOH-Cordillera OIC regional director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan and Mary Joy Morin of the DOH central office National AIDS and STI Prevention and Control Program led launching of the “LHIVE- Free” campaign during awarding of academic and skills competition on HIV/AIDS awareness and the search for the Reyna di Cordillera as HIV and AIDS Advocacy Ambassadors in Baguio City recently.

In Baguio City, 33 new cases of HIV and AIDS were recorded January to August last year, the Epidemiology Bureau of the DOH reported. This brings to 307 the total number of HIV/AIDS cases in the city since monitoring started in 1984.

Cordillera statistics showed there was a total of 457 HIV/AIDS cases from 1984 to August 2018.

Benguet had 54 cases; Abra, 50; Kalinga, 13; Ifugao, 12; Apayao, 11; and Mountain Province, 10.

A total of 61 new cases were recorded from January-July in the region last year.

Morin said the LHIVE-free campaign aims to encourage the population at risk for HIV such as males having sex with males to get tested, seek treatment if they have HIV, be educated and empowered about the proper use of condom and help them live a worry-free life.

 The LHIVE-free campaign will also reach out to partners who will serve as enablers and support groups.

FREE means F for family and friends, R for religious and political leaders, E for educators and media while the last E is for employers and the community.

 “We are confronted with seriously worsening concern on HIV,” Morin said citing the 32 new HIV cases per day.

 “We are the highest in the rate of increase of HIV in the Asia Pacific Region. Persons at risk for HIV are afraid or shy away from getting and HIV test. There is extremely low level of knowledge on HIV, especially the modes of transmission and ways of prevention, even among those who already in risky sexual behaviors. The use of condoms among those who engage in anal sex is also very low. There are persons who are already HIV positive and still decide to delay treatment,” she said.  

 “Let us continue to work together so we can witness a generation where people with HIV can live free of fear, stigma and discrimination and the rest of the population,” Morin said.

Meanwhile, Pangilinan said the awarding of the academic and skills competition on HIV/AIDS Awareness and the selection and coronation of the Reyna di Cordillera as HIV and AIDS Advocacy Ambassadors were among the activities to kick off the LHIVE Free campaign.

For the Quiz bee contest, Kings College of the Philippines won first place; Saint Louis Pacdal, second and the Cordillera Career Development College at third place.

For the Best in the Information, Education, Communication Campaign Corner,  Happy Hallow National High School  was first; Saint Louis University Junior High School, second, and  Pines City National High School,  third.

For the Spoken Words Poetry contest, Maria Teresa Serrano from Pines City National High School won first place; Christine Dodon from Happy Hallow National High School at second, and   Raymart Aaron Flores from the University of Baguio at third place.

For the photography contest, May Ann Binay-an of Happy Hallow snatched  first place, Lance Oneil  and Charlie Palpag, both of SLU,  landed in second and third place, respectively.

 The DOH-CAR also crowned Kyra Antonio as the first Reyna Di Cordillera with Jers Sabado as the 1st runner up; Miki Seto Lam, 2nd runner up; Trexy Guzman, 3rd runner up, and  Althea Latuhan, 4th runner up.

                Pangilinan said the winners will be the “LHIVE Free Redvocates” who would be HIV and AIDS Advocacy Ambassadors. from the LGBTQ community together with their male and female counterparts.

In the national level, the DOH has chosen Ms. International 2016, Cordillera’s very own Kylie Versoza, as the lead ambassador of the LHIVE Free campaign. The DOH believes that beyond her beautiful face, she has one powerful voice that can help dispel fear, anxiety, depression and the stigma to HIV. -- JDP/RMC- PIA CAR