The Davao City AIDS Council continued to urge the public to normalize Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing to prevent the spread of HIV and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Dr. Jordana Ramiterre, Head of the city’s Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC), said during the ISpeak Media Forum on Thursday that as part of their efforts in promoting prevention education, and the conduct of prevention orientation, the AIDS Council is also trying to normalize HIV testing.
“We are trying to promote the test, in fact, we have differentiated service delivery in terms of testing. There is the facility-based testing, community-based screening, and the option of self-testing,” she said.
Dr. Kris Trangia of the Department of Health Region XI (DOH RXI) also said that it is important to know one’s status, regardless of whether it is negative or positive. She said that HIV tests should not be associated with risky behaviors, rather they should be treated similarly to baseline tests that the public takes.
“We want to tell everyone that HIV testing is just the same as yung mga baseline tests that you can take for you to know your status kasi we are campaigning the U=U. If you are undetected na po yung viral root mo hindi ka na din po makakahawa sa kapwa mo. By knowing your status, you will know how to protect yourself and protect others [We want to inform everyone that HIV testing is the same as those baseline tests that you can take for you to know your status because we are campaigning for the U=U. If your viral root is already undetectable, then it is already non-transmittable. By knowing your status, you will be able to know how to protect yourself and how to protect others],” Trangia said.
According to Ramittere, combatting the stigma against HIV and AIDS is a never-ending battle as there are still a lot of people scared of getting tested. Cultural factors also affect people’s acceptance of testing and treatment.
DAWAW-MAAAI Chairperson, Manuel Velasco, added that although external discrimination plays a big role, self-stigma is also a huge factor. He said that in dealing with self-stigma or internal discrimination, peer support groups for people living with HIV are tapped to help encourage them to undergo treatments or to get tested.
Ramittere also emphasized the importance of testing, saying that treatment begins in testing.
Meanwhile, Trangia said that as of December 2023, the Davao Region has a total of 7066 recorded HIV cases, and out of this number, Davao City has 4,855 recorded HIV cases.
Currently, there are three treatment centers in the city, including the RHWC, the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), and the Davao Doctors Hospital (a private partner). There are also multiple testing centers that the public may access by asking their nearest Reproductive Health Worker.
The Davao City AIDS Council is urging Dabawenyos to get tested and to always use protection during intercourse. Proper reproductive health education and early detection are also advised. HIV tests are free in government testing centers along with pre-testing and post-testing counseling.CIO
