A ‘Heart Room’ for HIV-AIDS patients in AgSur

Posted 9 months ago Jan 10, 2018 Other Regions, Today's Top Stories 0

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By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur -- This province have rising cases of persons infected with the dreaded Human Immunodeficiency Virus- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) but at least provincial health workers have a “heart” to take care of them.

Since 2015, the Provincial Health Office has dedicated a medical facility aptly called the “Heart Room” at the D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital here that will treat HIV-AIDS patients and even those having the lesser threatening Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) if only to ease their physical sufferings.

There are 15 patients in the province tested positive with HIV-AIDS for the first and second quarters of 2017 while five more were spotted in the third quarter, based on the report from the Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS).

“We want to assure the public that the provincial government really cares for residents having this kind of sickness with our measures for prevention and control and even treat all other STD cases,” said Dr. Joel Esparagoza, Provincial Health Officer.

The “Heart Room” will treat these special patients with modern facilities to cater Pre Counselling, HIV Testing Laboratory, Post Counseling and Treatment with the assurance that confidentially is strictly observed.

This year, the province has allocated P700,000 for the upgrading of the Heart Room for capability building activities of personnel and meeting of the Provincial HIV-AIDS Council activities and other operating expenses.

Without implying the public about the stigma, the PHO has just warned that San Francisco and Bayugan City have four HIV-AIDS patients each, Bunawan, Talacogon and Rosario have three cases each and Esperanza have two cases.

The FHIS report disclosed ages ranges from 18-45 to those having HIV-AIDS..From 2015, till 2017, 10 already died while three cases were transferred to other treatment hubs outside the province.

With this development, Esparagoza has urged all Rural Health Units to implement program and mandated activities intended for the prevention and control through intensification of Information, Education, Communication and Monitoring activities at all levels and activities of the Local HIV-AIDS Council.

He further stressed about the importance of the participation of the community and local government’s support at the municipal level.

The PHO has been active in conducting massive information campaign with symposia as ongoing activities targeting public and private secondary schools throughout the province.

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