BAGUIO CITY – The City Health Services Office-Reproductive Health and Wellness Center reported that this city has 211 confirmed Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) cases as of November.
Ghay Hope Alangsab, CHSO HIV-AIDS program co-manager, said patients were 20- to 29-years-old.
Alangsab said the campaign among the youth needs to be strengthened as patients are getting younger.
During the World AIDS Day celebration on Dec. 4 with the theme “Take the Right Path,” CHSO recognized its partners and supporters for their efforts and dedication in standing up for and collaboratively implementing the agency’s mandate to end the HIV-AIDS epidemic by 2030.
Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, City Health Officer, urged the people to exercise their rights. “Our health care for them (HIV-AIDS patients) is rights-based. We do not discriminate against anyone and that is why we actively encourage everyone to get tested.”
She said everyone has the right to health care and can get free HIV-AIDS testing and treatment at CHSO.
The CHSO also recognized the Baguio City AIDS Watch Council, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Anxiety and Depression Support Group, and Baguio Association of Night Spots (BANS) for their dedication in leading, advocating, and serving as champions for the eradication of HIV-AIDS here.
In 2023, the CHSO conducted the first-ever school-based HIV testing to remove the stigma of the disease as it will better identify and treat patients at an early stage.