BAGUIO CITY – The Health Services Office has recently recorded and average of nine Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in the city every year starting 2011 to 2015, most of the new cases are MSM (men having sex with men).
Mayor Mauricio stressed that the city has the Baguio AIDS Watch Council (AWAC) headed by Dr. Celia Brillantes of the Social Hygeine Clinic, HSO monitoring the different night spots, clubs here in the city.
According to Brillantes, the entertainers were informed about HIV infections and they are tested if they are positive with the infection.
In order to regulate the increase of HIV cases in the city, an ongoing group education to MSM’s and street workers are being conducted by peer educators.
“Raising awareness on HIV/AIDS can also help in the reduction of HIV infection occurrence,” said Brillantes.
Prohibiting the existence of night spots in the city is not the solution in preventing the occurrence of HIV cases, but instead, the values of every individual is very important to get rid of said infection, stressed Domogan.
To prevent HIV infections, it is very important to practice the ABC prevention of HIV – abstinence for our young people, be faithful to your partners, and practice careful and responsible sex.
The HSO is carrying out free testing and detection for HIV patients./Jho Arranz