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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, – About 300 persons in this trading hub of
Northern Mindanao have been diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV),
a health official said.
Joey Retuya, an epidemiologist at the City Health Office, made the
disclosure as the country observed the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial
Day last Sunday.
HIV causes the deadly Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Retuya urged the media to act as the channel of information about the
HIV/AIDS instead of being an alarmist.
”We understand that HIV cases are rising. The media should inform the
public on how to(avoid) the disease while encouraging those who might be
affected to come out for an earlier treatment,” Retuya said.
He said that the government is now facing the HIV/AIDS disease squarely
as “more are now willing to undergo HIV testing.”
The city government as well as the regional office of the Department of
Health (DOH) is also providing anti-viral drugs to contain the person’s HIV and
to boost his weakened immune system.
Evelyn Magsayo, DOH regional epidemiologist, said that for March 2017
alone, there were already 968 new cases contracted in the whole Philippines.
From 1984 to present, the DOH has documented about 42,272 HIV cases
nationwide, Magsayo said.
(Mark Francisco/PNA)
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