CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- In line with the observance of World Tuberculosis Day today, March 24, the City Government of San Fernando conducted Wednesday a collaboration program aimed at promoting awareness on Tuberculosis-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (TB-HIV).
With the theme “Sama-samang hanapin, gamutin at pagalingin,” some 200 cured Tuberculosis patients in the city have undergone free HIV-testing through blood extraction.
Dr. Renely Tungol, program manager for Infectious Disease, said the collected blood will be brought to Manila for confirmatory test and the results will then be given after a week.
“The result is confidential but we recommend patients (who will get positive results) to coordinate with us so we could refer them to hospitals which offer series of Diagnostic tests for HIV,” she added.
In his speech, Mayor Edwin Santiago urged the public, especially those already diagnosed with Tuberculosis, to be one in raising awareness so as to eliminate HIV cases in the city.
“People with Tuberculosis are at risk of having HIV. Kung hindi natin susugpuin, mabilis itong kakalat,” Santiago added.
The City Health Office has recorded a total of 104 cumulative HIV cases since 1984.
HIV is a virus that attacks the human immune system. It is commonly spread through body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk. If left untreated, it can lead to a disease called Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Aids).