The provincial board has approved a resolution on Tuesday urging local government units (LGUs) in Palawan to lead the conduct of information drives and campaigns about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDs/STIs) to stop cases from increasing.
In an approved resolution authored by board member Clarito Demaala IV, the provincial board said based on data from the Department of Health (DOH), Palawan has already recorded 250 positive cases of HIV which is already alarming.
“It is alarming that according to the data collected by the Provincial Hospital of Palawan, the age of those who have been positively identified as victims of these diseases and/or infections are decreasing or pabata ng pabata. The provincial government believes that it is high time that we accept and admit that we are truly facing a serious health issue and the people of Palawan is at risk of contracting STDs and STIs. This issue must be sensitively and effectively addressed with the help of all stakeholders for the benefit of all Palaweños,” Demaala pointed out.
Of the figure, two are 50 years old, 31 are between the ages of 35-49, 125 cases between the ages of 25-34 and eight are 14 years old and below.
Demaala said aside from the LGU, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) should also take the lead in holding campaign drives to prevent the youth from being afflicted with the STDs, STIs, and HIV/AIDS.
He said although the Provincial Health Office (PHO) is already conduction information and education campaigns, initiatives from the SK in the barangays and the LGUs will be a great help so no more cases will be added.
