DOH alarmed as HIV cases rise in Caraga

BUTUAN CITY, AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) in Caraga expressed alarm over the increase in the number of people who had tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the region.

Caraga, as of February, recorded 17 new HIV cases, which were verified to have been acquired through sexual contact, according to the Sexually Transmitted Disease/AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) Cooperative Central Laboratory and reported to the government’s HIV/AIDS Registry.

Jose Llacuna Jr., DOH Caraga regional director, said 12 cases were reported during the same period last year.

Records from the DOH said 651 cases, with 69 deaths from HIV/AIDS, had been recorded in the region from 1995 to February 2019.

“We acknowledge that there is an alarming trend in the increase of HIV cases in Caraga and nationwide. We hope that through proper education we will be able to help in countering this increase and in [coming up with] better implementation of measures,” said Llacuna during the 36th HIV/AIDS annual memorial commemoration here last week.—Erwin M. Mascariñas