by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
ZAMBOANGA CITY – City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos denied reports of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) cases inside evacuation centers (ECs) except for cases of sexually transmitted disease (STD).
“We have not found any positive cases of HIV inside evacuation camps, although there were cases of sexually transmitted infections among internally displaced persons (IDPs), but it’s not AIDS,” Dr. Agbulos clarified during a recent press briefing.
Agbulos said if, indeed, there are cases of AIDS, it will really be a cause for alarm. But he clarified that “there is no truth to the report.”
As part of its monitoring activities inside the evacuation centers, the City Health Office (CHO) also looks into sexually transmitted infections and HIV among the IDPs by conducting medical checkups/missions including the distribution of hygiene kits to pregnant and lactating women.
Other than the CHO, non-government partners like the Human Development Empowerment Services are also looking into problems of STDs and HIV cases inside ECs.
