5 people die of HIV-AIDS in Davao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) – Five people have died from complications due to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome in Davao, the largest city in the southern Philippines, this year, local health officials said.

At least 42 new cases of the HIV-AIDS were also monitored from January to March 31, according to the city health office’s Reproductive Health Wellness Center (RHWC).

The number (of new HIV-AIDS carriers) could rise as there were cases not yet reported to their office, said Jordana Ramiterre, RHWC head.

The latest death brought to 29 the total fatalities due to HIV- AIDS since the city of 1.2 million people began tracking the disease in 1993.

“We are not even getting the actual picture as many cases go unreported (to our office),” Ramiterre said.

More than half of the 262 confirmed HIV-AIDS patients (121) belonged to the 25-34 year-old age bracket, followed by those aged 15 to 24.

Among the city’s latest HIV-AIDS patients is a pregnant woman in her 20s whom the city health has been giving anti-retroviral drugs (ARVDs) to prevent fast deterioration of her immune system and save her child.

The city health office has intensified its campaign against the disease by focusing more on information campaign on how to prevent the spreading of the viral disease, according to Ramiterre.