CEBU CITY – This city recorded 113 Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) cases from January to May this year.
The Cebu City Health Department (CCHD) reported that out of the total cases, three patients died due to weakened immune system as a complication from the infection.
Dr. Ilya Tac-an, program coordinator of the city’s HIV Prevention Treatment and Support Program, said the top causes of HIV cases in the city are “men having sex with men” and using illegal drugs through injection.
“If we check the prevalence, every year we used to reach nine percent positivity rate but currently we are at two percent. We tested more but positives are fewer,” said Tac-an.
Tac-an said that from 1984 to present, the city has recorded 4,906 HIV-AIDS cases. “Most of the patients are living normally, in good condition because of their medications,” Tac-an said.
Tac-an said that aside from addressing the rising cases of dengue and preventing the spread of Covid-19, the city is also focusing on its anti-HIV-AIDS program.
CCHD has been intensifying its testing so that necessary intervention will be made for those who will be tested HIV-AIDS positive.
“At City Health, we have free testing from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It comes as a package because we also give Hepatitis B and syphilis tests. We also have outreach activities were we conduct and free testings in barangays where trained counselors are available,” said Tac-an.
Tac-an assured that data involving HIV patients will be treated confidential.