WESCOM conducts HIV-AIDS/Filariasis awareness drive

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Feb 10 (PIA) – In its support for the mandate of the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” in professionalizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines through continuous education, trainings, and seminars, the Western Command and its health care service provider, Camp General Artemio Ricarte Station Hospital (CGARSH) conducted a half-day awareness drive regarding HIV-AIDS and Filariasis.

The 6^th Civil Relations Group of the AFP reported that a total of thirty (30) soldiers and their dependents attended the seminar on February 3, 2012 at the WESCOM Officers’ Club House.

“This information drive is for all soldiers to be made aware, understand and for them to be vigilant in our fight against these deadly and infectious diseases so that we can help in educating our local populace in achieving a healthy lifestyle,” said LtC Wilfredo M Nakpil MC, the Commanding Officer (CO) of CGARSH.

The lecture on lymphatic filariasis was conducted by Cpt Alekhine Tinio, Medical Officer of CGARSH. He said that infection occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. 

“When this infection becomes chronic, it leads to lymphoedema (tissue swelling) or elephantiasis (skin/tissue thickening) of limbs and hydrocele (fluid accumulation),” he said.

He emphasized on the importance of prevention which includes maintaining a clean environment, using insecticide-treated nets and using indoor residual spraying that may help protect residents in endemic areas from infection.

Guest speakers from the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), Ariel V. Vicente RN and Reenah A. de Jesus RN, shared their knowledge on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), how it is acquired and how it can be prevented.

HIV destroys the body’s defense system that fights infectious diseases, thus a person with this virus begin to get infections and they become immune deficient - leading to a condition called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which up to now has no cure. 

6CRG-Civil Relations Service Group Commander Maj. Joseph Bugaoan (PN) said the knowledge provided by the speakers can be shared and taught by the soldiers to the people they encounter in the field especially during civil military operations (CMOs), and even to their families, in order for the populace to protect themselves against these harmful and deadly blood diseases. (6CRGAFP/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)