FIFTY personnel of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) underwent a random Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) test on Thursday morning, Dec. 13.
Chief Insp. Mercy Villaro, MCPO spokesperson, said they support the campaign of the Mandaue City Health Office (MCHO) on its HIV public awareness campaign.
Field personnel, desk officers, investigators and the staff of the police community relations branch underwent random HIV testing.
MCHO treatment and support nurses Emmanuel Ong and Satra Abdulkahil said they are glad that the MCPO has joined their HIV awareness program.
From February until November this year, the MCHO recorded 35 persons afflicted with HIV and 31 of them have availed themselves of free medication. MCHO recorded nearly 30 HIV patients in the city last year.
Before the random testing, Villaro said the MCPO personnel listened to the city health officers’ lecture on HIV and prevention.
“We initiated this HIV orientation and test in coordination with the city health office for self- awareness and to share to the public what really HIV is. We should not evade persons living with HIV because they need our support and care,” she said. (from FMD of SuperBalita Cebu/KAL)