#WorldAIDSDay

December 1st marks World Aids Day.

It’s been almost one year since our collaboration with Jehna and Justin in the movement of promoting safe sex and contraceptives in Lila. It is important to educate the Filipino community about HIV/AIDs as the Philippines is facing the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the western Pacific (1).

For those who are unaware, the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital’s HIV Treatment Hub, funded by the Department of Health, provides free antiretroviral therapy, which helps suppress the progression of the virus among patients.

The Provincial Health Office HIV-AIDS focal person, Milagros Israel, states that most of those who tested positive may have had the disease for a long time but only found out this year through the free testing.

“Wa mana nagpasabot na karon ra na. Tungod lang na kay nag-conduct ang atong team og mobile HIV testing for free so nakit-an nato ang atong mga kaigsuonan na reactive to HIV. If ever ma found out sila na positive sila sa HIV infection, naay antiretroviral drugs for free gihapon…Wa g’yuy kahadlukan. Libre ra na,” said Israel (2).

Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital 0053 Miguel Parras St, Tagbilaran City, 6300 Bohol, Philippines

Take the opportunity to read more about the services provided around your community and what you can do to stay safe. Head to our previous post about this issue to read more about statistics and transmission (https://www.thelilacfoundation.com/blog/%E2%9D%81-promoting-safe-sex-&-contraceptives-in-lila--37yTTd629sGYmBp8lmZfPF)

If you have questions or need guidance finding resources, you can message ‘The Lilac Foundation’ Facebook page or you can email us at thelilacfoundation@gmail.com .

References:

(1) https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(18)30265-2/fulltext

(2) https://www.boholchronicle.com.ph/2019/06/25/19-hiv-aids-cases-recorded-in-bohol-2019-first-quarter/