Iloilo City marks World AIDS Day
Employees of government and non-government organizations in Iloilo City are wearing red ribbons to observe the World AIDS Day today.
Among the other activities are massive distribution of information materials and other health services that will help heighten public’s awareness on the dreaded HIV/AIDS.
The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS worn by people around the world to demonstrate concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus (a member of the retrovirus family) that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections.
The Department of Health 6 has recorded 117 People Living with HIV in Western Visayas from 1994 to October 2010. Of this figure, 31 have died.
PLWHAs currently receiving health services from the government and NGOs.
Charity Perea, DOH 6 regional STI and AIDS coordinator, said the highlight of today’s activities is the inauguration of the halfway home situated in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.
The half-way home situated in a health facility which the DOH 6 renovated will serve PLWHAs from other provinces of Western Visayas who come to Iloilo City to seek medication at the Western Visayas Medical Center where the HIV and AIDS Core Team is housed.
Health Regional Director Ariel Valencia said in a PIA interview that when the place is ready the DOH will tap the services of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department Social Welfare and Development and other agencies to provide the PLWHAs with skills that will eventually help them for their livelihood.
The theme of the World AIDS Day observance is “Universal Access and Human Rights.”*PIA6
