No AIDS cases in QC

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. revealed there has been no cases of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the city based on a series of samplings conducted by the city health department.

Speaking before participants of an awareness rally commemorating the 15th World AIDS Day at city hall last Monday afternoon, the mayor said the city government has launched an aggressive campaign to inform the people about AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

"Not a single case of AIDS has been reported in Quezon City," he said.

Belmonte, who chairs the Quezon City Aids Council with Councilor Ricky del Rosario, said the city government is determined to address the problem of AIDS and STDs.

He said the city health department, headed by Dr. Ma. Paz Ugalde, has mobilized health workers and non-government organizations in monitoring of possible AIDS carriers in the city.

The latest sampling of sex profiles was conducted early this year. City health workers acquired random blood samples from sectors that may be prone to the disease.

The mayor said the problem of AIDS can be overcome if there is political will among leaders of the community.

He said an AIDS outbreak can be contained if the government recognizes the risks it poses to communities.

Quezon City yesterday played host to the commemoration of World AIDS Day, with Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit as the guest of honor and speaker.

Belmonte Jr. led city officials in welcoming the more than 1,000 delegates from different cities and municipalities in metro Manila, including municipal and hospital officials and non-government organizations.

The celebration started with a "Walk-For-A-Cause" parade at the Quezon City Memorial Circle and was highlighted by the lighting of candles and offering of prayers to commemorate those people who passed away with AIDS and life testimony of those suffering from the disease.

The campaign aims to encourage people to break the silence and barriers in the effort to coming out with an effective HIV/AIDS prevention program.

The United Nations AIDS estimated that about five million new cases of AIDS has been recorded worldwide this year.

The city government is actively participating in this kind of endeavor through the Quezon City STD/AIDS Council and the city health department with the conduct of semi-annually behavioral surveillance and knowledge attitude training to all registered female sex workers, freelance sex workers and men having sex with men.