MEN who have sex with men (MSM) bear a disproportionately higher burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection than having sex with prostituted women, a health official said.
Dr. Joey Retuya, head of the Surveillance Department of the City Health Office (CHO), said the MSM trending is not only in the city nor in the Philippines but international as well.
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“Whether cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the city reach 1,000, it does not matter. What matters is that the transmission is present in the area. But we don’t have to worry as long as we are able to communicate this to our constituents and inform them of our advocacy in preventing the spread of HIV,” Retuya told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
In Cagayan de Oro, 22 of the 23 HIV carriers recorded are males.
For the first time in decades, cases of HIV, which causes the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids), has reached double figure in Cagayan de Oro.
The Department of Health (DOH) recorded six HIV/Aids cases in 2008, nine in 2009, 14 in 2010, and 23 this year with an astonishing 50 percent increase.
Though not confirming directly as to the number of HIV-positive in the city, Retuya emphasized that CHO’s partners are now taking care of the treatment and monitoring of these people.
Retuya reiterated their advocacy and encouraged the public to cooperate and observe the ABCD approach in preventing HIV/Aids.
The ABCD approach means to Abstain from sexual intercourse; Be faithful and eliminate casual partners; use Condoms not for birth control but for preventive measure; and Do not use drugs or share needles.
“We also encourage having tests for sexually transmitted infections as early as possible, especially those who are engaged in MSM,” Retuya added.
He also said that since transmission is here, the support of the public is much needed, adding the fight against HIV cannot be done by CHO, DOH, or by any non-government organization alone.
The HIV causes Aids, a condition where the body’s immune system is severely undermined.
Cure for Aids is yet to be found, although there are drugs that can delay the HIV infection from becoming full-blown Aids.
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
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Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
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October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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