The Caloocan City Health Department conducted the “10 Minutes Awra,” a free human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and counseling program at the Caloocan Complex, City Hall, from Monday, Feb. 20, to Friday, Feb. 24.
The 10 Minutes Awra was a partnership project of the local government and organizations, including Caloocan Social Hygiene Clinic, Pilipinas Shell, United States Agency for International Development, President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Family Health International (FHI-360), EpiC Project, The Library Foundation (TLF) Share, and Department of Health (DOH)-Metro Manila.
“Marami na po tayong mga testing centers sa buong NCR. Ito pong programa ay inilunsad natin sa Caloocan para sa ating mga kababayan. Mabilis at non-invasive po ang proseso (We have many testing centers all over NCR. We launched this program in Caloocan for our residents. The process is quick and non-invasive),” City Health Department (CHD) Officer-in-charge Dra. Evelyn Cuevas said.
She emphasized that the activity sought to raise awareness of the HIV symptoms, stages, progression, and possible treatment among the residents, especially the youth.
According to Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan, the city health department aims to inform the residents about the city’s facilities and programs aligned with HIV prevention. He said that patients who acquired the infection must undergo counseling.
“Ito po ay bahagi ng ating pagnanais na matugunan ang mga pangangailangang medikal ng ating mga kababayan at magabayan sila hinggil sa sakit na HIV (This is part of our desire to meet the medical needs of our locals and guide them about the HIV disease),” the mayor expressed.
“Sa pamamagitan din po ng ating counseling, umaasa po ang Pamahalaang Lungsod na mabigyang linaw ang mga maling paniniwala sa HIV at magabayan ang mga kasalukuyang nakikipaglaban sa nasabing sakit at kanilang mga nakakasalamuha (Through our counseling, the city government hopes to clarify the false beliefs about HIV and guide those who are fighting the said disease and those they interact with),” he added.