Philippine Information Agency
25 May 2019, 00:08 GMT+10
BAGUIO CITY, May 24 (PIA) - - The City AIDS Watch Council AWAC) and its partners led the public in lighting candles to pay tribute to those who died of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), show support to People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and raise awareness on such global health concern.
Held at the Malcolm Square here today, the activity was in line with the annual International Candlelight Memorial Day being observed globally every third Sunday of May.
It was participated by the City Government of Baguio headed by the City Health Services Office, the Department of Health (DOH), the Baguio Association of Bars and Entertainment Society (BABES), among other partners.
A free HIV testing was also provided to the public through the Metropolitan Community Church of Metro Baguio. There were HIV/AIDS education campaigns and entertainment numbers.
AWAC secretariat head, City HSO Reproductive Health and Wellness Center chief Dr. Celiaflor Brillantes, said HIV/AIDS remains to be a major health concern with cases of new infections getting into alarming level. National data in February 2019 show an average of 38 new infections diagnosed per day.
For Baguio City, Brillantes disclosed that since monitoring started in 1984, there were already 331 HIV cases recorded.
As per demographics, similar with the e national scenario, HIV infection in the younger age bracket 15 - 34 years old is increasing and majority of the cases are MSMs (Men Having Sex with Men).
MSMs sexual network is also getting complicated because some of them are also having sex with women, she added.
For public health advisory, Brillantes reiterated the health department's "ABCDE" HIV advocacy which stands for "Abstinence, Being faithful, Correct and consistent use of condoms, Don't use drugs and Early detection or treatment." (JDP/CCD- PIA CAR with Danielle Garin/UC Intern)
Know Your Status. Volunteers line up for a free HIV Screening at Malcolm Square. (CCD/PIA CAR)
Get a daily dose of Malaysia Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Malaysia Sun.
More InformationBANGKOK, Thailand: Thailand's government is facing its biggest crisis in nearly a year, as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's...
New Delhi [India] June 26 (ANI): India's engineering goods exports experienced a marginal 0.82 per cent year-on-year dip in May 2025,...
New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): Actor-turned-politician and BJP MP from Himachal's Mandi, Kangana Ranaut has raised questions on...
New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D Raja on Thursday criticised the BJP for observing...
New Delhi [India] June 26 (ANI): India's electric vehicle (EV) growth is significantly slower than the top 10 global standouts, according...
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 26 (ANI): In a lively exchange that captured the spirit of mentorship, Olympic star Sreeja Akula...
LONDON/NEW YORK/CHICAGO: In suburban Chicago, just 15 minutes from O'Hare International Airport, a small customs brokerage quietly...
NEW YORK, New York, - U.S. stocks were split, but little moved Wednesday after a positive start to the week heralded by a two-day rally....
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Elon Musk is taking a big step toward making his long-promised robotaxi dream a reality. Over the weekend,...
PLANO, Texas: Toyota Motor will raise prices across a range of vehicles in the United States starting next month, the Japanese automaker...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. business activity showed signs of softening in June while inflationary pressures continued to build, driven...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markest closed sharply higher on Tuesday as a truce entered into between Irsael and Iran after 12 days...