The Department of Health Caraga Regional Office, in May 2019, reported that the number of HIV positive in Trento, Agusan del Sur has risen to 18, with one (1) more identified as another reactive after the Rural Health Unit conducted free HIV testing in October.
While San Francisco and Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur were ranked in the first two tally seats, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte placed third, followed by Trento in the fourth.
According to the report, out of the 694 infected individuals in Caraga, the age group of 25-34 had the highest number of positive (344), followed by the age group of 15-24 with 233.
It was also reported that the most common cause of HIV transmission is unsafe sex or unprotected sexual contact.
Out of the 19 reactive persons in the Municipality of Trento, only six (6) submitted themselves to treatment; while the other 13 are presumed to have been continuing their unguarded sexual activities in or out of town.
As a result, Honorable Mayor William Calvez immediately took an urgent step to address the problem by declaring a marching order to the sectors directly responsible to this concern.
In response to Mayor Calvez’s directive, the Rural Health Unit of Trento along with the Municipal AIDS Council implemented the Awareness Campaign by visiting schools and conducting free voluntary testing.
According to Dr. Christine Joy Macalagay, the Municipal Health Officer of Trento, not any one deserves to die just because of his or her ignorance to HIV.
She also cited that if a person is positive of the virus, he or she should accept the reality so that he or she can be given the proper medication and live a normal life.
On the contrary, Dr. Macalagay emphasized, that if the reactive individual opts to hide or ignore the infection, the chance of intensifying the HIV into full-blown AIDS is likely happening where cure becomes impossible, and death closely possible.
Allen Joe Lumanta, MIO