Duque cites intensified awareness, testing to curb rise of AIDS cases

FILE: “Dapat sila ay magpa-test kasi yun ang pinakamaganda para maibsan ang pagkalat nito (They should be tested because this is the best way to control the spread),” Duque said Friday in a media interview. (Photo: Department of Health (Philippines)/Facebook)

MANILA— Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday reiterated that intensified public awareness and voluntary testing for human immuno virus (HIV) would make a difference in preventing the spread of acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

“Dapat sila ay magpa-test kasi yun ang pinakamaganda para maibsan ang pagkalat nito (They should be tested because this is the best way to control the spread),” Duque said Friday in a media interview.

The HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines recorded that from 1984-2006, the predominant mode of transmission was male-female sex.

However, beginning 2007, the trend spiked to males having sex with males (MSM) as the predominant mode of transmission and has continually increased.

The data also revealed that there were a total of 66 deaths due to HIV/AIDS. The data further showed that sexual contact remains to be the predominant mode of transmission among the 905 cases.

Of this figure, a total of 774 individuals or 86 percent were under the MSM category.

Duque said that through counseling, which is being offered in HIV testing hubs and centers, the persons who tested positive can be linked to the medical care and treatment they need.

On the other hand, those who were tested negative are given information on the practice of safe sex including the use of condoms.

“We have prevention. treatment care and support interventions. In our prevention program, we have HIV-AIDS education,” Duque said.

He added that since it is really difficult to prevent sexual contact, the best way to prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS is by providing protection under the government program.