The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial at CLMMRH on Thursday*
“This fight against HIV/AIDS is not just the fight of the Department of Health, it is a fight where everybody’s participation is an advantage”, Dr. Joan Cerrada, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) chief, said.
Cerrada, who delivered the opening message at the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial at the CLMMRH in Bacolod City on Thursday, June 5, said the ceremony was a reminder of the unfinished tasks in the fight against HIV-AIDS.
“We once again revisit the memory of family, friends or patients who have gone too soon because of HIV/AIDS. This candle lighting ceremony reminds us of the unfinished tasks in the fight against this disease that we need to continue. Hopefully with renewed vigor and resolve, because one young life lost due to HIV/AIDS is already one too many”, she said.
She said we are no longer in the 1980s when HIV back then was a death sentence, progressing to advanced disease and inevitably death.
“Science has made strides since then, enabling humankind to control the virus to a point where despite the infection, affected people can live productively and as long as non-HIV people can,” she said.
Cerrada said because it is now known how the virus spreads, the World Health Organization and the DOH has released several awareness programs related to the prevention of HIV transmission.
These include lifestyle/behavior modification, correct and consistent condom use, PrEP with free medicines, early screening and link to care with free antiretrovirals and even available treatment care for opportunistic infections due to advanced HIV for those who seek care and support late into the disease already, she said.
However, despite all of these, the Philippines is still in the midst of an HIV epidemic, she said.
While other countries have controlled the rise of HIV cases, the Philippines is still seeing a steep increase , Cerrada said.
She pointed out that free HIV testing and treatment hubs are available at the CLMMRH, Cadiz District Hospital, Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, Kabankalan District Hospital, Valladolid District Hospital and at Bagani, a private group.
Cerrada stressed the need to avoid risky behavior, undergo early HIV screening, avail of early treatment, and to help health authorities spread the word on HIV and the DOH preventive strategies.
“Let’s not be a bystander. Let’s move fast. Every minute counts,” she said.
Cerrada said her pledge is to ensure that CLMMRH “will be the big sister of all Negros Island Region treatment hubs, leading collaborative and empowerment strategies to make preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic HIV services accessible, in alignment to DOH recommendations”.*
Angelo Magalona of the Kasanag (Valladolid) treatment hub and his team leader; Dr. Marichelle Mendoza-Morales; Dr Hary Carial, Chairman Dept of Internal Medicine CLMMRH; Dr Jeanette Umali, president Philippine Society for Microbilogoly and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) Bacolod; Dr Carina Frayco, team leader Amlig (CLMMRH) treatment hub; Dr. Jade Leuterio, team leader Haplos (Kabankalan) treatment hub; Dr Joan E. Cerrada, CLMMRH chief; Dr. Myre Geolingo, Chief of Hospital, Lorenzo Zayco Kabankalan; Dr Mary Ann Gebusion, team leader Silak (TLJPH Silay ); and Dr Celestelyn Barredo-Villarosa, OPD head CLMMRH (l-r)*
Members of the Kabankalan HIV Treatment hub*
Members of the Amlig (CLMMRH) treatment hub*