City Health Office to focus more on HIV-Aids prevention

THE Davao City Health Office (CHO) is keen on focusing more in prevention and early detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-Aids) this year, as it noted one positive case per day has been detected in the city.

Davao City Health Officer Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said that aside from dengue, reduced maternal deaths, immunization of children, non-communicable diseases, and substance abuse, the HIV is one thing that they want to focus on 2017.

"We also have to look into HIV and Aids because Davao City is increasing in number sad to say we have one positive case per day," she said.

She said they recently recorded 30-33 positive cases in Davao City only.

"Despite of the efforts done, there is still a lot of positive it is because maybe of a good campaign," she said.

She said that city officials are doing a lot in their surveillance on areas where people with possible high risk practices gather.

"During night visits, the team conducts surveillance, and at the moment that they see that they have high risk practices, they will immediately get sample and they will immediately know if the person is reactive and non-reactive," she said.

She added that once a person is reactive, he or she is brought to the Reproductive Health and Wellness Office and will be subjected to counseling.

Their confirmatory tests will also be sent to Manila but these results can be accessed by the patient immediately after a few days.

Blood test will be administered for the confirmatory test.

Villafuerte said these community-based monitoring of HIV-Aids is funded by the Department of Health, and Global Fund from Save our Children.

She added that they conduct free testing at their office and the Antiretroviral drugs, which suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of HIV disease, are also for free.

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