MikeLigalig.com

REP. RON P. SALO
KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Member, Overseas Workers Affairs, Health, and 10 other Committees

SHARING OF NEEDLES IN CENTRAL VISAYAS IS NEW HIV-AIDS TRANSMISSION THREAT

49 DRUG-INJECTION USERS TESTED POSITIVE FOR HIV

Sharing of needles has emerged as a new high-risk behavior in the faster spread of HIV-AIDS among Filipinos, particularly in Central Visayas, the latest available (March 2018) Department of Health data show.

Since last January, there were 49 injecting drugs users who got infected with HIV. Counting from January 2013 to March 2018, sharing of needles gave 1,580 people HIV. 

The DOH said “almost all (99 percent) reported with injecting drug use were from Region 7.” 

With these information, it is now imperative and urgent for LGU officials in Central Visayas to team up with the DOH to stem rising tide of HIV spread via sharing of needles.

As a Member of the House Committee on Health, I call on the LGUs and DOH to make this a new priority.

The menace of illegal drugs has surely interfaced with the HIV-AIDS epidemic. These two epidemics are now twins in the Central Visayas.

The good news in the latest HIV-AIDS data is the integrity of our nation’s blood supply and the enforcement of safety measures in our medical facilities. DOH reported zero HIV cases from blood/blood products and from needle stick injury. 

I urge registered nurses and licensed health professionals to continue with the safety practices to keep themselves from getting infected with HIV accidentally through needle stick injury. (END)

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