DOH records 1,279 cases of HIV in Cagayan Valley in three months

Tuguegarao, Cagayan – The Department of Health (DOH) Region 2 recorded at least 1,279 cases of human immunodeficiency virus disease (HIV) in Cagayan Valley from September to November, this year.

As reported by Bombo Radyo Tuguegarao, the agency logged the highest cases of said disease in Isabela, followed by Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Batanes.

From the data, the agency revealed that the most affected age group is from 25 to 34 years old. The agency recorded that the youngest is a one-year-old baby, who got infected with the virus during the mother’s pregnancy, and the oldest is 67 years old.

DOH disclosed that 95% of the cases were men while 5% were women. Most of the patients acquired the deadly virus through sexual contact.

The department said they will intensify their face-to-face campaign against the disease once the pandemic restrictions are lifted.

On the other hand, Mikhail Tagueg, HIV campaigner of the department, said the public's awareness of HIV disease is growing not just in the region but the whole country due to concerted efforts of the government, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders in the campaign against HIV.

Tagueg said HIV testing sites and treatment hubs across the country have also increased and these were made accessible to those with HIV/AIDS by way of the Universal Health Care Law.

However, he said they need to increase more effort in the awareness campaigns even during this pandemic to fight the stigma since there are people who are still ashamed to avail of the free HIV tests.

In addition, Tagueg also reiterated the need to use protection informing that those who feel embarrassed to buy condoms from stores could actually avail the rubber from drugstores and even in health centers.

Meanwhile, Janneth Ibay, the agency's Medical Officer, said that simultaneous with the department’s month-long celebration of World AIDS Day this year, they also launched a free HIV Screening to be held every weekend in the city of Tuguegarao in collaboration with the City Health Office and other municipalities in the region.

They targeted to encourage those working in parlors, salons, and other sectors who want to know their health status.

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