PGB takes action to mitigate the rise of HIV in Bulacan
CITY OF MALOLOS- The Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Provincial Health Office-Public Health has been continuously fighting against Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) through the strengthened advocacy and awareness campaign in the whole Province of Bulacan.
Recently, Bulacan has been highlighted for having the highest number of HIV cases recorded in Central Luzon with 136 newly diagnose HIV cases from January to March 2019.
“With the efforts that we are doing in the province, hindi pa natin inaasahan na bababa ang bilang, we’re still expecting it to go up dahil ang dami nating awareness campaign, ang dami nating treatment facilities na nag-ooffer ng free HIV testing. As of the moment kasi hindi pa natin naabot na lahat nung target ay mapa-test, pag na reach na tsaka lang siya bababa.” Dr. Jocelyn Gomez, Provincial Health Officer, said.
According to statistics, since 1984 up to present, Bulacan has 2,188 recorded cases with 15 yrs. old being the youngest and ages 15 to 34 are the mostly affected.
She added that they make sure that anyone who is HIV positive will undergo treatment in the treatment hub facilities in the province for free.
“Kung ang gamutan ay tuluy-tuloy, it has a possibility that the virus will be undetectable in their bodies and eventually hindi na nila maipapasa ang HIV sa iba,” Gomez added.
Patricia Ann Alvaro, Health Education Promotion Officer of PHO, said that currently, there are seven active treatment hub facilities in Bulacan including the Luntiang Silong in Bulacan Medical Center, located at 3rd Floor, Pay 3 – Room 301, Mojon, Malolos Bulacan; EmbrACE Unit, ACE Medical Center in Baliwag; Gintong Kanlungan, Guiguinto RHU II in Tiaong, Guiguinto; Kanaryong Silungan, Marilao RHU I; Home of Bamboo, Meycauayan RHU I; Villa Ezperanza, Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose Del Monte and; Green Clinic, Santa Maria RHU in Caypombo, Santa Maria, Bulacan.
These hubs can be contacted through contact numbers 0923.405.1309 / 0915.521.4322, 0933.873.7688, 0975.465.4515 / 0935 063 4198, 0942.993.9238 / 0942.993.9338, 044.764.0684 / 0917.323.6972, 0947.754.3406 / 0917.459.2984, and 0917.127.5197 as mentioned respectively.
Moreover, all towns and cities in Bulacan have testing facilities, and are now equipped with trained HIV peer counselor, HIV peer educator and HIV Proficient Medical Technologists and all of them can test HIV.
Based on the World Health Organization, the HIV can be transmitted via the exchange of a variety of body fluids from infected individuals, such as blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal secretions but risk of HIV infection can be reduced by limiting exposure to risk factors including correct and consistent use of condoms, testing for HIV and other STIs for all people exposed to any of the risk factors among others.