Samarnons usher launch of weeklong commemoration of World AIDS Day

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
November 27, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  The Samar Provincial AIDS Council (SPAC) with stakeholders like Kartada han Samar, Leyte Family Development Organization (LEFADO), Waraya and Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) converged to launch the week long commemoration of World AIDS Day Monday night in a program at the Catbalogan City plaza.

They were also joined by the Samar State University (SSU), Samar College and the City government of Catbalogan.

Ador Hurtado, an officer of the Waraya, a youth organization said that the team stands for the education of people about HIV/AIDS in the hope of eradicating the stigma and discrimination that people living with AIDS (PWA) bear.

He added that there are now 33.2 M people living with HIV, including 2.5 M children.

He said that on December 1 the world remembers World AIDS day to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by spread of HIV infection.

In a message by City Health Officer Dr. Gerarda Tizon, the medical doc said that the spread of the disease can be attributed to the lack of information on the whys and wherefores of the disease and the sexual and behavioral lifestyle of the people.

She added that there is no vaccine to prevent HIV infection and no cure for AIDS. She cautioned the public to avoid behaviors that allow HIV infected fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk from entering the body.

She said: Let us not just prevent AIDS let us stop it!

City councilor Herminia Cabral, meanwhile urged the Samarnons to be aware; that families should make it a responsibility to inform their children about HIV/AIDS.

Although no case has been reported in Samar, still health authorities do not necessarily equate the information with no affliction.

Because of the stigma, it maybe that people are afraid to come out in the open to admit, said Waraya.

But nevertheless, SPAC with the different stakeholders believe that information and awareness should still be of paramount importance to reach the grassroots.

The AIDS team targets the tri-media through radio guesting and press conferences, symposia in barangays and schools and even focused group discussions.