Rise of HIV Cases Expected, Says DOH

(PNA) — The Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday that they expected the 50 percent increase of HIV (human-immuno virus) cases recorded in June as compared to the same period last year.

“The soaring of cases can be attributed to the result of DOH campaign to encourage those suspecting if they are at-risk of HIV to come forward and be tested through free HIV-testing and counseling,” said Dr. Lyndon Lee-Suy, DOH spokesperson.

Dr. Lee-Suy said that the DOH had earlier expected that more (HIV) cases will be recorded as people were encouraged to undergo testing with their ongoing campaign. To combat HIV/AIDS is included in the department’s High Impact Five program.

“Actually that is what we really want to happen. We want them not to be fearful in coming forward so that they will know their status, what to do on how they can protect themselves and their family (love ones such as sexual partner or baby in their womb),” said Dr. Lee-Suy.

He assured that the results of the HIV tests will remain confidential, saying there is no reason to outcast or stigmatized those suspected to be infected with the AIDS virus or those at risk.

He said that by coming forward, person who suspects that he/she is at risk, will get the necessary counseling before and after the testing at the DOH facilities offering free such test and counseling.

According to Lee-Suy, through counseling, they want to influence the person who engage in risky behavior such as unprotected sex to develop positive behavior change or outlook.

Part of that “positive behavior” involves applying the ways to protect themselves from HIV (in case they are negative), and how can the HIV patient (if tested positive) to care for themselves and their love ones, he said.

Counseling is also giving information that those engaging in unprotected sex especially with the person they hardly know is a reason to undergo HIV testing.

During counseling, they were informed that DOH is providing anti-retroviral (ARV) medicines that must be regularly taken and that taking these drugs also involves giving up “negative vices” such as smoking and drinking liquor since ARVs will work best if the person’s immune system is not exposed to further damage to prevent opportunistic infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and cancer.

As of June of this year a total of 772 new cases were recorded as compared to 494 during the same period in 2014.

The DOH said that since 2008, the number of HIV cases has sharply risen from only one a day to four a day in 2010; then nine a day in 2012; and 17 a day in 2014. (PNA) FFC/LSJ/EBP