The global attention on the COVID-19 pandemic did not stop the rural health office of the municipality of Agutaya from holding a modest event to commemorate the 2020 International AIDS candlelight memorial, an annual global event.
An RHU staff of three, including several doctors and nurses on May 17 conducted a candlelight at the beach near where the RHU is located.
“Yung rural health unit (RHU) kasi nasa tabing dagat, kaya naisip ko doon na lang idaos ang candlelight. Walang tao, at malayo sa kalsada,” Bobby Bryan Llanzana, RHU Nurse, told Palawan News.
He said they streamed their activity via Facebook live to pursue their intention to help raise awareness on HIV/AIDS.
“Taon-taon may mga programa sana inihahanda, pero dahil nasa Covid19 pandemic pa tayo, isinagawa natin ang vitual candlelight. Hindi lang para alalahanin ang mga kapatid nating namatay dahil sa HIV/AIDS, kundi para maipakalat pa ang kahalagahan ng pag-iingat sa sakit na ito, lalo palagiang pagpapatingin o pagpapa-screen ng HIV status,” Bryan added.
He said the activity was attended by three RHU staff of the said municipality, two members of the Coast Guard and that they observed physical distancing.
They also encouraged the public to light a candle within the vicinity of their homes and post it on social media to show support on the advocacy.
