BAGUIO CITY – Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Cordillera conducted another session of Kapihan sa Baguio on May 17, 2023, at the Gentleman’s Bar along Marcos Highway to discuss the topics of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
With an increase of HIV cases over the years, the session was held to increase awareness about AIDS, HIV, and STIs. HIV is a virus that attacks a person’s immune system and can lead to AIDS if untreated. With 978 confirmed HIV cases in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) from 1984 to present, it is an epidemic that needs to be addressed. The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance of the Department of Health–Center for Health Development in the Cordillera (DOH-CHD-CAR) recorded people diagnosed with HIV in 61% of the municipalities in CAR.
The session began with a statement from Gayhope Alangsab from the City Health Services Office who emphasized the need for those who are most affected by the HIV epidemic to be the frontliners of the movement for the right to life and the right to health. The right to health includes universal, comprehensive, and sustainable treatment, care, and prevention services. She added that to make sure that no one is left behind, the work around human rights, stigma reduction and social and economic justice should be intensified.
According to the DOH Regional Area Coordinator Mikhail Tagguieg, the goal of the DOH-CHD-CAR is to test the highly vulnerable population so they can undergo treatment and medication. They are currently partnering with the barangay Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) to focus on the youth sector. Additionally, they support the HIV response initiatives of Baguio City and CAR by giving out augmented HIV test kits, condoms, and lubes, providing technical assistance to DOH treatment hubs and hygiene clinics, and funding testing and outreach activities.
To intensify their focus on the youth, City Councilor Levy Orcales, Chairperson of Youth, Welfare, and Sports Development Committee, appealed to their other partners and even the media to extend their assistance, support, and cooperation in raising HIV and AIDS awareness. Despite their efforts like lectures and seminars in barangays, there are still members of the population that cannot be reached. Since the youth is their key population for screening and testing, they also initiated converting the SK offices into safe spaces for testing and raising awareness with the strictest confidentiality.
Aside from the youth, efforts are also made to target males having sex with males, people in workplaces, and male and female entertainers. In line with these efforts, there will also be an International AIDS Candlelight Memorial to be held at Burnham Lake on May 31, 2023. They concluded the session with reminders that the efforts against HIV, AIDS, and STIs require the participation and cooperation of the community. Article by Remy Consolacion
