Negros Occidental health officials marked World AIDS Day on Thursday, December 1, by raising awareness on the need for early detection and treatment.
The rise in HIV and AIDs cases in Negros Occidental is alarming, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, said.
The message we want to send is that it is important to get tested because early detection is the key to treatment and protection, he said.
Tumimbang said they conduct community-based HIV screening and assure those who seek help of confidentiality.
Negros Occidental had 172 HIV cases from January to September this year, and Bacolod City has 101 placing them in second and fourth place in Western Visayas, respectively, the Provincial Health Office reported.
Iloilo province was in first place with 210 HIV cases, while Capiz recorded 106, Iloilo City – 92, Aklan -71, Antique – 48 and Guimaras – 14.
About 50 percent of those hit with HIV in Negros Occidental are aged 25 to 34 years old, and the youngest hit is 15 years old.
The PHO said 115 of the HIV cases in 2022 were transmitted from male to male.
Josephine Nonato, provincial HIV/AIDS coordinator, said the increase in HIV cases can partly be attributed to behavior influenced by social media.
Since 1986 Negros Occidental recorded 1,176 HIV cases and Bacolod City had 924 or the third and fourth highest in Western Visayas, respectively.
Iloilo province recorded the most number of HIV cases at 1,410, followed by Iloilo City with 1,211, Capiz – 559, Aklan – 455, Antique – 352, and Guimaras – 120.
Edjohn Javellana, provincial HIV/AIDS coordinator, said the projected HIV cases in Negros Occidental is 1,900 and it is a challenge to locate close to 800 others.
Some people who test positive for HIV do not return for treatment.
Javellana stressed the need to avoid risky sexual behavior and to practice safe sex.
Arnulfo Makilan, LGBT non-government organization representative, said they encourage members to undergo community based screening for early treatment.
They have also brought their HIV/AIDS awareness campaign to the youth, he added.
Tumimbang said the rise in HIV cases can be attributed to their campaign, especially among high risk groups, to get tested and treated, which has raised greater awareness.*