People who died of AIDS remembered this Sunday

By Erly C. Garcia

It's gonna be a red dress day for advocates of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial this Sunday, May 15, 2005.

The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Western Visayas will spearhead the 22 nd observance of the annual advocacy themed: “Turning remembrance into action.”

The activity will be held at the newly refurbished Rotary Amphitheater in front of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.

Participants are expected to come in red shirt.

The program will start at 5:00 p.m. with the giving of testimonials by Persons Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (PLWHAS) and the releasing of white balloons.

The candlelighting ceremony will follow by 6:00 p.m.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial aims to remember those people who have died of AIDS; show support for people living with HIV/AIDS; create awareness and provice information about the disease; and solicit public support and mobilize individuals and communities in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Charity Perea, Regional Sexually Transmitted Infection Nurse Coordinator of the DOH-CHD WV revealed that at present 23 persons from Western Visayas have HIV.

Of the figure 16 are males and seven are females.

Six of them are seafarers, four are overseas Filipino workers, two are nurses, four are housewives, three waiters and one x-ray technician, one painter, a doctor and a six-year-old girl.

The six-year-old girl is the youngest of the 23 persons recorded to have HIV-AIDS in Western Visayas since 2002.

Perea disclosed that both parents of the child were also living with AIDS before they succumbed to the disease.

The father died only last month while the mother died a year ago. The child is now living with her relatives.

Perea said the girl acquired HIV through the pre-natal mode of transmission.

Since 2002, the CHD has recorded five deaths, leaving behind the 18 Persons Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (PLWHAS).

Moreover, the registry revealed that of the 23, 16 are males and seven are females.

Iloilo continues to have the highest number of HIV-AIDS cases with 13; followed by Negros Occidental with 5, Aklan, 3; and one each for Guimaras and Capiz.

Perea said they received unconfirmed report that Antique had two cases, both of whom reportedly died.

Perea, however, noted that this number does not reflect the real situation in the region. She said there might be some PLWHAS who were just hesitant to come out and have themselves recorded. (With reports from PNA)