Parañaque intensifies drive vs. HIV/AIDS

The Parañaque City Government under the leadership of Mayor Florencio Bernabe, Jr. conducted a lecture on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Human Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) for city employees on Friday, November 9, 2012 at the Assessor’s Lounge in City Hall.

The lecture is part of the city government’s continuing drive against this “no cure” infection and disease of the human immune system as well as other sexually-transmitted diseases (STD). It is conducted at city hall, in schools, communities and business establishments by the Social Hygiene Division of the City Health Office.

According to the latest figures, the Philippines now ranks 7^th in the world with 1015 HIV-positive cases and 323 deaths from January 1984 to December 2010.

Discussed were modes of disease transmission, prevention and case management. HIV is transmitted mainly by unprotected sex; transfusion of infected blood; and use of contaminated hypodermic needles. Similarly, it may be transmitted from mother to infant during conception, childbirth and breastfeeding.

“We continue to educate our citizens on the threat of HIV/AIDS aiming to keep the number of cases from rising especially that there is no known cure to it and that the stigma is carries affect not only the infected person but the family members as well. With the increase in incidence worldwide, we have stepped-up our information campaign.”, Mayor Jun Bernabe said.

Parañaque residents may call or text the confidential Help Line 0917-3336128 or visit the Social Hygiene Clinic at the VCG (Blue Building) at cor. San Pancrasio and San Vicente Ferrer Sts., San Antonio Valley I for more information, lectures, testing and counseling service.