The Department of Health (DOH) revealed yesterday that Quezon City has the most number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) cases in Metro Manila.
The DOH distributed the condoms with the help of Spa’s Massage Center Club’s and KTV’s Association (SAMACCKA).
Herbosa said in a Manila Bulletin interview:
“We will be flooding Metro Manila with condoms if it is the only way we can prevent the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS. It is a critical and the only effective element in the prevention and control of the disease and available tool in reducing the transmission of sexual infections and diseases,”
“We started this campaign in Quezon City because it has the most number of AIDS patients and asymptomatic cases. And we are targeting entertainment hubs in the city by providing them the proper information and educating them on the prevention and control of the disease,”
In the registry, Quezon City had 54 HIV cases and 6 confirmed AIDS cases; Manila had four confirmed cases; Pasig, 4 HIV cases; Makati, 15 asymptomatic cases; Caloocan 1 confirmed case; Mandaluyong, two confirmed cases, Taguig, 3 cases; Paranaque, 2; Marikina, 1; Las Pinas, one confirmed case, San Juan City, four cases, Muntinlupa and Valenzuela, three recorded cases each, Navotas City, two cases and Pateros, one case.
According to the registry, the affected individuals belong to the 25 to 29 years age-group. Majority were males and most of the cases reportedly acquired the disease through homosexual practices.
Twenty-eight of the persons afflicted were Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).
The HIV-AIDS Registry for January 2014 released by the DOH showed a total of 224 confirmed cases as reported by the STD/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory (SACCL).
This is 23 percent higher compared to the same period last year where only 182 confirmed cases were recorded. Majority or 90 percent were asymptomatic disease carriers which means they do not exhibit any signs of being afflicted with the disease.
In an Inquirer news report, the Philippine National AIDS Council, meanwhile, said that the rise of the number of HIV cases in the Philippines is concentrated among males who have sex with males and people who inject illegal drugs or narcotics.
The agency also added that one Filipino contracts the virus every one hour and 25 minutes.