EDITORIAL - Sweeping action needed against AIDS

Health authorities in Cebu should make an immediate move against the rising cases of HIV/AIDS in the province. The disease has been going on a rampage in the country of late, with Cebu as one of the areas with having the most number of cases.

According to the AIDS-Free Philippines, at least 18 additional cases were recorded in Cebu from January to May this year. This brings to 538 the total number of local AIDS victims.

 There are now a total of 54 AIDS deaths in Cebu since the disease hit the country in 1980s. The last fatality, statistics showed, was recorded last April 17 by the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Cases of HIV/AIDS are, of course, expected to rise in Cebu since it is highly urbanized with a population of over four million. And local health authorities will have a tough task surmounting this rampaging malady.  

But given the daunting challenges the country is facing, there must be a sweep campaign against AIDS. All sectors of society must unite if we are going to put up a winnable fight.     

One way of heightening the battle against AIDS is for health authorities to implement a vigorous information dissemination, especially among the youth. With the opening of the new school year, there is an urgent need for students to be aware of the deadly disease.

In fact, data had shown that many victims of AIDS in the country are young. So there is a need for authorities to take the battle to the schools by educating the students on the importance of safe sex.                   

Not only the schools. Health officials must also take their campaign against AIDS to the booming class of young professionals. With call centers and other business outsourcing process employment offering lucrative income to fresh graduates, the youth are seriously facing a great risk.

So there must be a strong coordination between the government and the business sector for us to win the fight against the disease.