Ilocanos participate in voluntary HIV testing

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

LAOAG City—Ilocanos in this northern part of Luzon has voluntarily submitted themselves to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing, the Department of Health continue to spearhead.

In support of the DOH declaration as National HIV Testing Week on May 11 to 15, acting Provincial Health Officer Josephin Ruedas said medical technologists are conducting free testing in three government hospitals in the province such as the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac City, Laoag City General Hospital and the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital also in Laoag City.

Ms. Ruedas hopes more at-risk individuals such as those working in videoke bars or any interested individual will have themselves tested as it is a means of protection not only for their own selves but also for their loved ones.

According to health practitioners, anyone who practices unsafe sex can get infected regardless of age, sex, race, income or sexual orientation. Hence, they are encouraging all people at risk for HIV to undergo testing.

Of those who availed the voluntary testing, Ms. Ruedas said none has been found positive yet.

She also added that they extended the testing until May 16 with a special HIV testing schedule on May 18 at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Jail.

Based on the latest record of the DOH released last February, there are about 23,709 HIV reported cases in the country.

Of these cases, at least 25 percent are 15 to 24 years old.

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