Rising HIV cases noted in Pangasinan
A government doctor here has warned Pangasinenses against the rising number of persons positive of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), particularly among returning overseas Filipino workers (OFW).
Dr. Jocelyn Tongson, chief of the Social Hygiene Clinic based here, said based on the National Aids Registry 21 cases are spread around the province.
Eight per cent of the confirmed HIV cases are CSWs while 35 per cent are referred to as “imported cases”, (having been brought home by the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Tongson cited the case of a returning OFW afflicted with HIV who eventually contaminated his wife and two of their children.
“This might just be the tip of the iceberg,” said Tongson, noting that most of the victims have ceased reporting to local health offices and prefer to be examined and treated at the Department of Health’s San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, possibly to hide their identity and avoid being ostracized in their communities.
Tongson said that fortunately, out of 400 persons in Pangasinan who underwent HIV testing since last year, 90 percent of whom were CSWs, no one was found positive.
She also reported that 91 or 24% of the 376 CSWs in Dagupan City who underwent gram stain smear were found positive of sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the second quarter this year.
Last year of the same period, there were 172 found positive and compared this year, there was a decrease of 31 percent, Tongson said.
In the raid of videoke bars in this city last week, 23 freelance CSWs were apprehended and 12 were found positive of STDs, Tongson said. – EVA
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