DESPITE recent terrifying data, there still seems to be some form of blindness and denial when it comes to facing the issue of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). One of the main reasons for this may be the stigma associated with the disease.
Which is why last July 20, the HIV advocacy group of Negros, Pula, held its “Testing for Health” event at the SM Bacolod Atrium. Aside from free HIV testing, free random blood sugar (RBS), cholesterol, and uric acid testing were also given for free. Results were presented to the hundreds of participants in a matter of minutes.
Various organizations along with more than 55 other volunteers joined the drive.
Among those who gave their services to everyone who came for inquiry, counseling or medical testing were: the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine College of Chest Physicians, Philippine Guidance Counselors Association-NOGCA, Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Junior Chamber, Philippine Society for Microbiology-Visayas Chapter, Bacolod City Health Office, Provincial Health Office, CLMMRH HIV and Aids Core Team, Cross Breeds Plus Negros Inc. Philippine Medical Association 12.
Also, Canlaon Society, Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines, counselors Arnulfo Makilan, Javon Dawa, Jo Nonato, Arthur Boboli, Haydee Zulueta, Desirei Monghe, and Jade Porque, Med Tech volunteers Mark Garcellan, Jason Lusabia, and Eden Laberos, Drug Men of Negros, Philippine Nurses Association – Negros Occidental chapter, Philippine Pediatric Society-Negros Occidental, The Red Whistle, Rotary Bacolod West, and JCI Bacolod, Inc.
Pula Negros is led by its president Dr. Rommela Tiples-Ruiz along with its vice president Arnulfo Makilan, secretary Dr. Ria Sy-Cocjin and Dr. Jeanette Umali, treasurer Dr. Titania Deocadez / Dr. Carina Frayco, auditor Emmanuel Rectra II, RN, PIO: JCI Bacolod / Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Junior Chamber, Education: Josephine Nonato, RN, and Ways and Means: Dr. Andy Panes /PCP /PCCP.
The fight against the stigma and the call for more people to join the campaign for HIV testing is an urgent response to the terrifying March 2019 Bacolod City Data released by the DOH Philippines Western Visayas.
According to the data, Western Visayas has been tagged as one of the top five regions with the most number of New cases in 2019 with 76 percent in Bacolod City. Every nine hours, a person is diagnosed with HIV wherein 95 percent of HIV positive persons in Bacolod City are male. In terms of mode of transmission, homosexual relations rate the highest with 52 percent, while bisexual relations is at 31 percent and 17 percent for heterosexual activities. Most HIV related cases belong to the 15-34 years old bracket.
Pula and all its affiliates are calling out to everyone of all genders or sexual orientations to get tested so a more accurate overall information can be used to combat the deadly spread of HIV in the city and the region.
For HIV testing in Negros and other inquiries regarding HIV, the Bacolod City Health Office may be reached through (034) 431-3673 and the Provincial Health Office through (034) 434-8102. The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) HACT Office located at the 2nd Floor OPD Bldg., CLMMRH, Burgos-Lacson Streets, Bacolod City, may also be reached through (034)707-2280.