DOH Adopts ASAP Strategy in Addressing HIV-AIDS

The health department in Eastern Visayas adopted a quick strategy in combating an increasing communicable disease through an acronym ASAP.

Boyd Roderick S. Cerro, Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)/Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) program manager, Department of Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas, presented the acronym which he believed is important in addressing the growing cases of HIV-AIDS in Region 8 in a forum on neglected tropical diseases held recently in Sabin Resort and Hotel in Ormoc City.

Based on latest report from DOH 8, there are 253 HIV/AIDS cases in Region 8 from January, 1984 to July, 2015; 56 HIV/AIDS are confirmed cases seen as of July, 2015; and 20 deaths recorded.

Out of the 56 confirmed cases, 52 or 53% are males; majority are males having sex with males and five have died, based on DOH 8 report.

ASAP stands for A-awareness and advocacy; S-surveillance and strategic information; A-access to basic and comprehensive prevention services, testing, and treatment; and P-partnership in policies, programs, and projects.

Cerro said that part of the ASAP strategy is to conduct massive awareness and advocacy campaign and create climate of awareness and compassion by informing and educating specific target groups and the whole population for behavior change; and to establish information systems and consultation and feedback mechanisms.

“We have to reach out to the populace what’s hidden about the disease,” Cerro said adding that part of the ASAP strategy as a minimum response in risk areas is to establish local AIDS council in local government units, social hygiene clinics, conduct of preventive activities like advocacy and surveillance, and localized policies.

Leadership in LGUs is also vital for the successful implementation of plans, programs, and projects geared toward addressing the problem on HIV/AIDS, Cerro said.

He added that it is also important to establish an HIV/AIDS treatment hub in the region, organize a HIV/AIDS core teams in government hospitals, to have an empowered positive community and their networks, palliative community based and home based care mostly run by non-government organizations, and introduction of antiretroviral drugs.

To increase the reach on males having sex with males, one of the most-at-risk and key affected population, is part of the fast action to do including taking the test and get the results; to increase condom use from 35% to 60%; and decrease self-medication of sexually transmitted infections, he further said.

“If we do nothing, HIV is a problem that will not go away. We have to do something, everyone can do something,” the STI/HIV/AIDS regional program manager shared to the participants of the two-day activity initiated by DOH. (rvictoria/PIA Biliran)