SJIT in Butuan City to engage in HIV literacy
By Nora Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY – As part of the academe’s commitment to public awareness and literacy on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Caraga region, the St. Joseph Institute of Technology (SJIT) in Butuan City will hold an HIV symposium and testing for its students and employees on Saturday, January 11, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at SJIT’s Multi-Media Center, here.
The event, in partnership with the Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga; Amoma Caraga, Inc.; Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc.; PROTECTS - UPSCALE and Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines, will serve as a community extension service of the Graduate School Student Organization headed by President Raffy Virgil, and will be facilitated by the SJIT Graduate School Department and Graduate School Student Organization (GSSO).
SJIT Vice President for Academics and Research Extension and Graduate School Assistant Dean Levita B. Grana said, “Experts will discuss the salient features of Republic Act No. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018 and the fundamental knowledge on HIV, how this is being acquired and what can we do to help prevent its spread while also responding to the needs of people who are living with HIV (PLHIV).”
Dr. Grana also encouraged the students and employees to participate in the event to strengthen literacy on HIV and its terminal condition known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
“ Free screening/testing and provision of other services are also available from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for those who wish to get tested. Safe spaces and confidentiality will be maximally observed,” she added.
Meanwhile, Virgil said, "The event will highlight the efforts of the academe, the government and the different stakeholders in the fight against HIV-AIDS and to remove the stigma so more PLHIV can avail of the free testing, treatment and other services, especially in Caraga region."
As of June 2024, DOH-CHD Caraga recorded an additional 185 HIV cases, bringing the total number of cases in the region to 1,718 since 1995. Further, Agusan del Sur tops the provinces with 293 cases, followed by Surigao del Sur with 225 cases, Surigao del Norte with 136 cases, Agusan del Norte with 122 cases and Dinagat Islands with 31 cases.
Among the cities in the region, the city of Butuan has the most cases at 442, followed by Surigao City with 229 cases, Bislig City with 68 cases, the city of Tandag with 65 cases, Bayugan City with 61 cases and Cabadbaran City with 46 cases. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
