DOH-7 to set up HIV infection control center

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health-Region VII is planning to set up an infection control center to address the continuing rise of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in Cebu.

DOH-7 Regional Director Susana Madarieta said that based on DOH-Region VII data, there were 76 new HIV/AIDS cases reported from January to October this year.

Madarieta said the center will help those infected with HIV and those at high risk would be given counseling on how to prevent the spread of infection.

Majority of those who contracted the disease were injecting drug users.

The DOH is currently in talks with the Dangerous Drugs Board to address the issues on health and illegal drugs.

When contracted, a person can expect no cure from the disease although antiretroviral drugs are given for people living with HIV to extend their years.

HIV is contracted through blood transfusion, sharing of infected needles, unprotected sex and mother-to-child transmission.

Aside from injecting drug users, high risk groups include commercial sex workers, men having sex with men, and overseas workers.

Dr. Chamberlain Agtuca Jr., assistant leader of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center’s HIV/Aids Core Team, said a rapid rise of new HIV cases is seen.

Though the rapid surge of HIV cases in Cebu City is due to injecting drug users, Agtuca said their records show that 80 percent of their clients contracted the virus through sexual contact particularly men having sex with men and only 10 percent got the disease from injectable drugs.

Dr. Ilya Tac-an, city epidemiologist and head of the HIV/AIDS Detection Unit admitted though that the figure may be alarming but that they are now collaborating with the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) on measures to address the issue.

In Cebu City alone, a total of 377 HIV/AIDS cases have been recorded from 1989 up to present.

Tac-an said that from 1989 to 2009, there were only 95 HIV/Aids cases and less than one percent is due to injectable drugs. — (FREEMAN)