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[av_heading heading=’HIV-AIDS cases in city now at 347
‘Sundown clinic’ offers privacy for HIV testing ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – Cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infections has been increasing, city government data showed.
The cases were mostly men having sex with men (MSM), according to Ma. Odeta Villaruel, coordinator of the city government’s STI (sexually transmitted infections), HIV and AIDS Program.
It’s because of the surge in cases that the City Health Office came up with the “sundown clinic” named 5/11 (Singko Onse) Klinika Ilonggo at the Social Hygiene Clinic (SHC) in Barangay Tanza, City Proper.
People may have themselves tested there for HIV/AIDS infection and STI from 5 a.m. to 11p.m. – the clinic hours customized for clients with such convenient hours.
The clinic officially opened yesterday.
“Indi man naton pag-i-stigmatize kag i-discriminate sila. Gusto lang namon nga ma-reach out namon sila sa amo na nga time,” said Villaruel.
According to Villaruel, Iloilo City registered 347 cumulative cases of HIV/AIDS from January 1986 to June 2016.
Three hundred nineteen (319) or 92 percent of the total cases were males.
By age group, the age range (median) is 18 to 80 years old.
Most cases were between 25 to 34 years old (174), followed by those between 15 to 24 years old (82).
Seventy-four cases were between 35 to 49 years old and 17 cases were 50 years old and older.
As of this September, the Iloilo City Social Hygiene Clinic recorded 21 HIV cases.
In 2015, it recorded 27 cases, seven in 2014, six each in 2013 and 2012, and three in 2011.
Iloilo City has one HIV death this year, 10 in 2015 and three in 2014.
Villaruel stressed that all cases at the sundown clinic or SHC are treated confidential.
The clinic’s services include:
* Gram Stain of vaginal, cervical, urethral, anal and throat discharges
* Wet Mount
* Syphilis Screening Test (RPR or Rapid Plasma Test)
* Syphilis Confirmatory Test (TPHA or Treponema Pallidum Hemo-Agglutination)
* Syphilis Quantitative (Titer)
* Clinic-based HIB Antibody Test
* Mobile Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV.
Villaruel said results of gonorrhea and syphilis tests may be released within 15 to 20 days while for HIV, two to three weeks.
“The tests are free. We also offer counseling to those who test positive. Kon may medication kami nga available gahatag kami pero indi lang ko kahambal gid nga sige-sige supply,” said Villaruel.
To avoid HIV/AIDS infection, avoid risky behavior like having multiple sex partners, among others, stressed Villaruel.
“Sa mga tawo nga sexuality active nga indi gid mapunggan may ara man kita protection like using condom consistently sa tanan nila nga ka-sex,” said Villaruel.
In the whole region, HIV cases as of June 2016 reached 1,357 (1,349 males and 107 females).
In the whole country, the cases now stand at 34,999./PN
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