Red Cross urges vigilance against AIDS
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:42:00 12/01/2008
Filed Under: Diseases, Health
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), in a statement on the celebration of World AIDS Day on Monday, called for vigilance in the battle against HIV/AIDs.
“Over a span of a decade, the Philippines maintained its status within a level categorized as a low prevalent country in terms of HIV and AIDS. The present prevalence rate of our country remains a record low. On the other hand, Filipinos should remain vigilant and avert the looming effects of this global concern,” the statement said.
As reflected by the present character of the Filipino population, our society is relatively influenced and challenged by cultural diversity, economic hardships, hasty migration, and sexual identity issues, it said.
“High-risk groups of the population become emerging priority concerns such as migrant workers, seafarers, female sex workers, men who have sex with men, the youth and drug users,” said Sen. Richard Gordon, PNRC chair.
“Today, we are sounding off a strong voice that Red Cross is part of an alliance to campaign against HIV/AIDS as an advocate in helping the affected population beset by the effects of HIV/AIDS and an active key player in the areas of risk prevention, mitigation and reduction,” the PNRC statement said.
“As one of its priority health issues, the PNRC, as one organization through its Community Health and Nursing Services, Red Cross Youth, Social Services, and Blood Services, shall formulate a more strategic and effective HIV/AIDS program,” it said.
“We shall renew relationships with government and nongovernment organizations to make PNRC programs more responsive to the needs of the majority of the Filipino people specifically in fighting HIV/AIDS,” PNRC secretary general Alma de Leon said in a program to highlight World AIDS Day.
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