By
Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY – The
City Health Office (CHO) conducted free human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
testing in five barangays here during the National HIV Testing Week on May
11-15.
HIV/AIDS coordinator Carleen
Jerusalem said the free HIV screening was conducted in barangays Dumagoc, Kawit,
Lumbia, Sto. Nino and Santiago.
Jerusalem
said the CHO also provided social hygiene services in these barangays as part
of the DOH’s relentless campaign against HIV and AIDS.
The
weeklong activity culminated on Friday with a candle lighting ceremony in
support of the 32nd International AIDS Candlelight Memorial at the Taclobo
Stage, Plaza Luz here in the city, giving respect and honor to those who died due
to AIDS.
Various
advocates led by the DOH and CHO attended the event to give hope to those who
are suffering from the disease and to remember the victims.
City
Health Officer Dr. Noel Ceniza said the CHO had observed the HIV/AIDS candlelight
memorial, as Pagadian City has already an HIV/AIDS victim.
“This
ceremony is fitting because we have an HIV/AIDS victim who died of the dreaded
disease and we have several cases of HIV positive here,” Ceniza announced.
Ceniza
said the HIV problem in our country could not be resolved if we would not
intensify our HIV prevention efforts. “HIV transmission rates will continue to
rise if we do not act decisively,” he stressed.
Ceniza
said with the DOH’s launching of the free HIV testing, persons who are
suffering from the disease can be easily diagnosed and be treated to prolong
their lives.
Meanwhile, Clarissa Jose, regional HIV/STD coordinator in her
message said one should avoid having a risk behavior adding that there is no
cure for HIV.
“There is no cure or vaccine to prevent HIV. The only way people can prevent infection from
the virus is to avoid high-risk behaviors putting them at risk of infection,
such as having unprotected sex or sharing needles,” Jose explained.
Jose
was very happy to see the people in the said barangays actively support the
campaign.