In commemoration of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial (IACM), the Davao City AIDS Council will be holding a candle-lighting activity on May 24.
The activity will take place at 4 pm in Rizal Park, carrying this year’s theme, “Put people first: Kandila ng Pagkalinga, Liwanag ng Pag-asa.”
Dr. Jovanna Ramiterre, Head of the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC), said the candlelight memorial is observed every year as it is an awareness campaign to raise social consciousness about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
“We have to really push towards strengthening our awareness campaign at yun ay pagcelebrate or pagcommemorate ng IACM for this year, but for the RHWC it’s not just for this event because every day we provide services for HIV prevention and control, not just HIV but STI, HIV, AIDS prevention program [We have to push towards strengthening our awareness campaign which is also why we commemorate the IACM every year. However, for the RHWC it’s not only for this event because every day we provide services for HIV, AIDS, and STI prevention and control programs],” Ramiterre said.
She added that in strengthening the awareness campaign, there is a need for the proper integration of in-depth discussions on reproductive health in the education curriculum, as well as to start discussions at home. However, given the current cultural status quo, discussions at home might be a bit challenging, thus, the need for a proper integration of the topic in schools.
“We’re promoting prevention education, we are conducting prevention orientation at the same time we are trying to normalize having a (HIV) test,” Ramiterre added.
Ramiterre emphasized that the treatment for HIV begins with testing. According to Dr. Kris Trangia of the Department of Health Region XI (DOH XI), it is everyone’s right to know their status, and HIV tests are just the same as the usual baseline tests that are taken regularly. It should not be associated with risky behaviors.
Regardless of background and practices, everyone is encouraged to get an HIV test. Pregnant women are also urged to get tested.
Meanwhile, other than the free HIV tests and the provision of antiretroviral treatment, the RHWC also offers Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PreP), a medicine taken to reduce the risk of contracting HIV.
The Davao City AIDS Council continues to remind Dabawenyos to practice using protection, get tested, and remember the ABCDE or Abstinence, Be faithful, Correct and consistent condom use, not do drugs, and Early education and detection. CIO