ANTIQUE – The province of Antique has a total of 429 cases of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 data since 1986 until August 2023 showed that San Jose de Buenavista town recorded the highest number of cases with 96.
Valderrama had the lowest number of infected individuals with six cases.
DOH-6 data further showed that of the 429 Antiqueños infected by HIV/AIDS, the 25- to 34-year-old age group has 239 cases, while the 15- to 24-year-old age group has recorded 115 infected individuals.
Michelle Marie Martinez, Health Education Promotion Officer of Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital (ASMGH), reminded the youth not to give in to peer pressure or engage in activities that will compromise their health and future.
“Sa tanan nga Antiqueños, especially sa mga youth, hindi magpadara-dara sa pressure, sa environment, social media para mag-engage sa bagay nga makaguba kang inyo health kag future,” said Martinez.
Martinez mentioned that people with HIV in Antique are safe from discrimination. ASMGH offers them job opportunities within the hospital so they can live a normal life while they get and stay on treatment at the same time.
“Kung may pagduwa-duwa sa inyo nabatyagan regarding sa kaso kang AIDS and HIV, bukas gid ang aton Pagla-um Center didya sa ASMGH-OPD (Outpatient Department). Kami magabaton kaninyo nga wara ti diskriminasyon kag ginasiguro nga tanan mga kaso i-keep gid ang confidentiality kang andang data,” Martinez added.
ASMGH has a Paglaum Center, which caters to the needs of the Antiquenos with HIV and AIDS cases.
Every year, ASMGH continues to realize its commitment to celebrate World AIDS Day and conduct activities that would benefit the Antiqueños by spreading awareness regarding the rising cases in our province and promoting a more robust community for the Antiqueños.
Last Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 27, they conducted an HIV 101 lecture and had A Walk to End AIDS by 2030 from ASMGH to Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park.
There was free HIV testing and screening as well. Free condoms were given to the attendees, which can also be availed of at OPD at any time.
Along with the celebration of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, ASMGH also conducted a free flu and pneumonia vaccination.
“Ang importansiya na kaya is protection, hay sa kadya nga tiyempo may mga walking pneumonia, ubo, sip-on kag iban pa mga nga sakit. So, gapasalamat gid kita sa Provincial Health Office kag DOH Region 6 kay gintugruan kita nga libre nga bakuna,” expressed Martinez. (With a report from PIO DLA, Provincial Government of Antique)/PN
