As the cases of HIV-AIDS among young teens continue to rise, the Department of Health announced that they will be distributing condoms in schools starting next year.
“As soon as we thresh out the strategy with the Department of Education (DepEd), we can distribute (condoms) after providing them proper counseling,”
Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said.
“We call on the community: We have to develop a business unusual strategy, not the business as usual. This means it will not just be in health centers at hospitals. It is really going down to the communities, to the households, involving the parents, the education sector, the teachers, and involving the community,” Ubial added.
The official cited that the youngest HIV patient in the Philippines is as young as 11 years old.The result of recent studies shows that at a very young age, Filipinos are engaging in sex.
That is why the distribution of condoms became an option for the DOH as a measure to arrest the spread of the deadly HIV-AIDS virus.
“But before the distribution, there will be counseling so we can prepare the schools, teachers and the students,” Ubial added.
“As soon as we thresh out the strategy with the Department of Education (DepEd), we can distribute (condoms) after providing them proper counseling,”
Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said.
“We call on the community: We have to develop a business unusual strategy, not the business as usual. This means it will not just be in health centers at hospitals. It is really going down to the communities, to the households, involving the parents, the education sector, the teachers, and involving the community,” Ubial added.
The official cited that the youngest HIV patient in the Philippines is as young as 11 years old.The result of recent studies shows that at a very young age, Filipinos are engaging in sex.
That is why the distribution of condoms became an option for the DOH as a measure to arrest the spread of the deadly HIV-AIDS virus.
“But before the distribution, there will be counseling so we can prepare the schools, teachers and the students,” Ubial added.
According to Ubial, the number of infected young people has shown a noticeable increase in number starting 2011.
However, the DOH Secretary's statement draws negative reactions among parents, saying that this measure may not prevent the spread of HIV-AIDS but may rather cause increase the number of teens engaging in sex.
Luz Luzuriaga, a mother of three, one of whom is a high school student, said it is better to give the young advice rather than giving them condoms or contraceptives.
She believes that the more effective method is by making young people understand the issue to guide them in their decision-making. One way is for teachers to create an open relationship with their students, she said.
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