Late diagnosis
LATE diagnosis contributed to the increase in the number of HIV-AIDS deaths in the Philippines, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
And official records show that since 1984, the dreaded disease has claimed the lives of 8,246 people in this poverty-stricken Asian nation.
Annual fatalities have been increasing from less than 100 before 2011, to more than 400 by 2015, and reaching 879 in 2022.
“To prevent HIV-AIDS, we must get tested early as this helps avoid late-stage disease that can kill,” said Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa.
The problem with this deadly disease is that many infected people are reluctant to undergo testing,” an elderly barangay health worker lamented.
“Nahihiya kasi silang lumantad dahil sa takot na layuan sila ng mga kamag-anak, kapit-bahay at kaibigan,” the health worker said.
“Mabuti pa ‘yong mga may TB at nakikisalamuha sila sa ibang tao. Kasi, alam nilang madali namang magamot ang sakit na ito,” she added.
HIV/AIDS is an infection that targets and weakens the body’s immune system.
In the view of many, concerned government authorities ought to intensify their efforts to urge the people to get tested early.
At dapat lang na ipaala-ala sa taumbayan na napakahalagang magpagamot dahil treatable naman ang HIV-AIDS kung nasa early stage pa ito.
