THE Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) continues its efforts to improve community health and fight misinformation by emphasizing the importance of HIV awareness, regular testing, and reducing stigma in this Friday\u2019s episode of The Capitol Reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Bohol\u2019s tourism, mobility, and social activities expand, the need for accurate information on HIV transmission, prevention, and treatment becomes even more crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Capitol emphasized that strengthening awareness not only safeguards individuals but also nurtures compassion and support for people living with HIV, helping to build safer and more inclusive communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Department of Health\u2013Bohol Provincial Officer Dr. Van Philip Baton highlighted the significance of a holistic approach to public health issues, including HIV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He encouraged the public to be proactive in protecting themselves from various diseases and highlighted the strong cooperation among the PGBh, local government units, and public hospitals in expanding health services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Baton also urged pregnant women to undergo HIV screening, noting that pregnancy can indicate unprotected sexual contact. He reminded everyone that free services such as HIV testing, condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Baton emphasized that DOH\u2013Bohol is dedicated to reducing risks by promoting regular testing, prompt treatment for those who test positive, and ongoing monitoring for individuals on therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HIV Case Manager Reyn Camartin shared that confirmed treatment hubs are located at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center (GCGMMC) in Tagbilaran City and in Panglao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She stressed ongoing efforts to raise awareness, eliminate misinformation, and reduce stigma through education about HIV basics and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Camartin reaffirmed the prevention principles \u2014 Abstinence, Being mutually faithful, Correct and consistent condom use, avoiding Drugs, and Education and Early detection \u2014 and reminded everyone that HIV can only be identified through testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She noted that gender-sensitive approaches and increased encouragement for testing are vital to minimize discrimination and foster safer environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GCGMMC Chief Medical Technologist Maria Alda Ligason explained the accessible and free HIV testing services at the facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She shared that rural health units across the province have been equipped to conduct initial screenings, with confirmatory testing performed at GCGMMC, which has been a designated confirmatory center since 2023. Baseline tests also help determine patient eligibility for antiretroviral therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HACT Nurse Leah Maluenda outlined the three HIV testing methods \u2014 facility-based, community-based, and self-testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She stressed that HIV awareness and stigma reduction require collective effort, emphasizing that addressing this issue is a shared responsibility among the community, government, and medical institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This initiative supports the Capitol\u2019s Social Equity and Human Development agenda under the Strategic Governance Roadmap, reinforcing the provincial government\u2019s commitment to accessible healthcare, informed communities, and an inclusive Bohol. (PIMO\/JFP)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) continues its efforts to improve community health and fight misinformation by emphasizing the importance of HIV awareness, regular testing, and reducing stigma in this Friday\u2019s episode of The Capitol Reports. As Bohol\u2019s tourism, mobility, and social activities expand, the need for accurate information on<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8450,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17159","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-top-stories",""],"yoast_head":"\n