BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – “AIDS is ever present in our community, and we should make an effort to prevent this,” City Health Services Office (CHSO) Medical Officer IV Clement A. Bilalat said and added that Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted disease cases can increase and decrease depending on the availability of protection and educational materials about the matter.
In May this year, a candlelight parade about AIDS awareness was held in the Summer Capital where partner agencies and workers in entertainment establishments created lanterns and paraded down Session Road and in June, Pride Month, “Everyone, all the offices were inviting the CHSO to conduct an education in their office,” he disclosed.
Educating the public is a very effective information tool for spreading awareness, Bilalat said, and pointed out that social media can be a powerful tool to reach a wider audience. The Reproductive Health & Wellness Center (RHWC) would also give lectures on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) just to remind people of available clinics and services in the city.
Bilalat said that the common ages recorded for AIDS or other STDs range from 15 to 34 years old and the reason is that it is when people are usually sexually active and have access to modern ways of finding partners.
Plotting from the previous years, he revealed that cases fluctuate between decreases of five and an increase of ten. Currently, cases in Baguio are increasing according to the CHSO.
AIDS cases are mostly males, Bilalat said as he reported that 94% of the documented cases are men.
Whenever a suspected client enters CHSO, they would be diagnosed and receive treatment if the tests come back positive for an infection. At the end of the consultation, the client would be educated on preventive practices.
“Our unit is the source of resource speakers in case the community wants to conduct an education and awareness session in the communities, and they invite us. Then we go there and provide our lectures,”
Bilalat said that screening activities are held when requested. Preventive products are also provided like condoms, Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and lubricants.
“STD services are present and complete in our Health Centers; you must not wait for symptoms to show up,” he said.
Prevention programs are there to inform and provide measures for people to be educated as awareness brings people up-to-date on preventive measures and a way of connecting to those who may be affected or know someone who’s going through similar issues. -Naj Levi Joven, PIO Baguio Intern/gabykeith
