CAGAYAN de Oro City marked its annual observance of World AIDS day with a series of activities that included mass testing and HIV screening for the public, the City Health Office (CHO) said.
“Last Sunday afternoon, we launched through the initiative of the city’s private schools led by Xavier University’s central student government a public information campaign on the AIDS menace and other sexually transmitted diseases. We’re happy that the campaign drew enthusiastic support from our city’s schools during the launching at the City Ampitheater in Divisoria,” CHO epidemiologist Dr. Teodulfo Joselito Retuya Jr said.
In a recent press briefing, the Department of Health (DOH-10) confirmed that Northern Mindanao ranked sixth in the country with the most number of HIV/AIDS cases at 2,561.
Dr. Wellaflor Brito, DOH-10 Infectious Diseases cluster chief said Misamis Oriental province which included Cagayan de Oro City logged the most number of AIDS cases in Region 10 with 1,431.
In that same press briefing, Dr. Retuya said the increase in cases was brought about by extensive surveillance that slowed down at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
Dr. Retuya said HIV/AIDS testing and counseling were done at the garden area of Ayala Centrio Mall from Nov. 28 to Nov. 30 from 9 am to 4 pm.
The activity dubbed ‘Sexual Health Uncensored: Talks and Awareness’ was spearheaded by XU’s central student government under their social involvement and advocacy program.
“Our CHO and DOH personnel assisted in the screening process,” Dr. Retuya said. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office with reports from PNA)
