9-year-old among HIV-AIDS victims being treated in Cagayan Valley

TUGUEGARAO CITY—A nine-year-old girl is among the 55 people being treated for HIV-AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immune deficiency syndrome) at Cagayan Valley Medical Center.

The girl was infected by her mother, who has  passed away, said Dr. Susan Daran, HIV-AIDS Cagayan coordinator of the Department of Health.

Her condition would be highlighted in a candle-lighting ceremony on May 27 in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan province, and on May 30 in Isabela’s Santiago City, Daran said.

Daran said the DOH needs to advocate safe sexual practices and prevent a projected rise of HIV-AIDS cases to 133,000 patients by 2022. RC/rga