Iloilo chosen as pilot area for HIV-AIDS program

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=896838
• Monday, June 20, 2016

(PNA), PGL/LCPENDON/CBF

ILOILO CITY, June 20 (PNA) -- The battle against the dreaded humanimmuno virus (HIV) continues as a joint undertaking of the Department of Health (DOH), Population Commission (PopCom), local government units (LGUs) and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) to stem the tide of HIV-AIDS spread in this highly urbanized city.

DOH and UNICEF selected five highly urbanized cities in the country as pilot areas for HIV-AIDS program, especially for the young people.

The cities are Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Quezon and Iloilo to lead on increasing youth participation in adolescent and reproductive health programs.

NGO partner Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) reported the virus upsurge among the male young people aged 17-33 years old. A total of 16 positives out of 124 walk-in clients sought voluntary HIV testing at the FPOP clinic based in Iloilo City since February to June this year.

The HIV positive results were submitted to DOH central office for further validation and it will take about a month before the final result be known, according to Robert Figuracion of FPOP.

However, monitoring of these male clients continues and positives include five students including two 17 years old, two overseas Filipino workers, one commercial sex worker and eight working adults.

Earlier, DOH reported that HIV is attacking Filipinos every 19 hours and the move is to stop its spread to infect other people.