Aklan supports HIV screening

Amid the rise in cases of sexually transmitted diseases here, pregnant women in this province are being encouraged to undergo free HIV AIDS screening at the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH).

Debbie Villaflor, HIV AIDS coordinator from the Provincial Health Office (PHO), said there is an increasing number of persons living with HIV AIDS in the province.

“From 1984 to June of this year, we recorded at least 229 cases of HIV AIDS. Some 13 of them already died,” Villaflor said during the Aklan Provincial AIDS Council meeting held Wednesday.

For her part, Dr. Leilani Barrios of the DRSTMH said that as of September this year, some 117 persons living with HIV AIDS are undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Because of this trend wherein younger people are getting infected by the HIV AIDS, the PHO considered it important to encourage pregnant women to undergo screening and check their health status.

“We are assuring pregnant women of confidentiality once they undergo the free HIV AIDS screening,” Barrios said.

She also disclosed that the youngest patient taking ART three years ago is a 15-year-old boy who has already been diagnosed with HIV AIDS. Now he is already an 18-year old and is still the youngest.

Dr. Athena Magdamit, president of the Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines-Aklan said that she already requested the PHO for training on how to handle pregnant women who may be affected by HIV AIDS on treatment especially during regular check-ups.