The increasing number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in Aklan could be just the tip of the iceberg as more newly-diagnosed cases were reported this year, according to Robby Bastareche, chairperson of Aklan Butterfly Brigade.
Last year, the province posted the highest number of HIV cases with 21 while 10 cases were identified from January to June this year. Based on Department of Health (DOH) monitoring, 81 people living with HIV were recorded in Aklan from January 1986 to June 2016.
On the possibility of more HIV cases in Aklan, Bastareche said the numbers does not necessarily reflect the real situation and statistics in the province of Aklan. The HIV-infection cases, he stressed, are those who have the courage to submit themselves for HIV testing.
“How about those who did not submit for the HIV test, and they don’t even know, they might be infected and marami na silang na infect,” he added in an interview.
Out of 1,357 cases in Western Visayas, the province of Aklan reported 20 acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and 61 were asymptomatic cases. Asymptomatic HIV-infection means the patient has no symptoms typically seen in people with HIV such as weight loss, fever, oral thrush and weakened immune system.
DOH HIV/AIDS registry also showed Iloilo City posted the highest number at 46 AIDS and 301 asymptomatic followed by Iloilo province with 42 AIDS and 210 asymptomatic; Bacolod City had 41 AIDS and 220 asymptomatic and Negros Occidental with 39 AIDS and 202 asymptomatic.
Antique also registered 15 AIDS and 39 asymptomatic; Capiz had nine AIDS and 87 asymptomatic and Guimaras with five AIDS and 20 asymptomatic.
Alarming Aklan
Bastareche considered the latest statistics in Aklan quite alarming since the number of HIV cases had tripled.
The first HIV case in Aklan was reported in 1999 followed by two cases in 2002. It surged to double-digits in 2013 with 15 new cases and 11 in 2014.
Based on the numbers, only Libacao, New Washington and Buruanga have no HIV cases reported yet. Kalibo registered the highest number of AIDS with eight followed by Altavas, Banga and Batan with two each. The towns of Nabas, Malay, Numancia, Lezo, Ibajay had one case each.
The capital town of Kalibo also posted 18 asymptomatic cases and Malay including Boracay Island had 16 cases; Makato had four, Ibajay and Altavas with two each.
Male to male sex was the pre-dominant mode of transmission followed by male-female sex and sharing of infected needles. The 25-34 years old age group, most of them are males, has the biggest proportion of cases reported.
To curb HIV/AIDS, DOH has designated Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City as the region’s treatment hub and Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in Kalibo, Aklan as satellite treatment hub.
Butterfly in action
Since, 2001, Aklan Butterfly Brigade, an organization of gay men and transgender women, is battling for zero new HIV-infections, zero stigma and zero discrimination. The butterfly brigade is also reaching out to schools and community with trained peer educators to conduct basic information on STI/HIV and AIDs.
Bastareche urged the people in the community to attend seminars and symposiums to gain knowledge on how HIV is transmitted and helped them reduce the chances of acquiring HIV/AIDS.
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
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