CONDOMS will not be given away to the youth like candies.
This was the assurance of the Department of Health (DOH) to sectors questioning their plan to distribute condoms in school clinics as part of their efforts to combat the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
According to DOH Secretary Paulyn Ubial, they will be giving out condoms coupled with the necessary information on HIV/AIDS.
“Ang strategy ay hindi lang naman left and right distribution na parang candy. Ang pagdistribute ng condom is our way for information dissemination and education,” said Ubial in an interview.
The information, she pointed, will be coming from those in charge of school clinics, such as the nurses and doctors.
“Meron tayong ginawang modules on how to introduce HIV/AIDS in the school and how to train the teachers. Ang problema kasi dati, hindi comfortable and karamihan ng teachers na magbigay ng sexuality and sex education. Ito ay guide nila,” said Ubial.
Last week, the DOH announced that they are planning to make condoms available in school clinics in order to make them accessible to students, who may need it.
The proposal did not sit well with the local Catholic church leaders saying the DOH should just invest on information and education campaigns on HIV and AIDS instead of purchasing condoms.
The bishops also insisted that such a program will encourage more youth to engage in promiscuous and premarital sex.
But according to the health chief, the use of condoms is actually considered as the “last option” in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS.
“Ang campaign natin is ABC. Number one message is A for abstinence and delaying sexual debut; B is be faithful and make sure your partner is faithful. Kung hindi maka-practice ng A and B, then use condom. So use of condom is the last resort,” she stressed.
“We have to be controversial and we have to think outside the box. Sabi ko nga, hindi na tayo business as usual but business unusual na tayo,” furthered Ubial. (HDT/Sunnex)