THE Department of Health (DOH) clarified that they are not promoting pre-marital sex or any form immoralities in their initiative to distribute condoms to high school students.
DOH officials reiterate that they only want to come up with a remedy to stop the prevalence rate of Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids) in the country.
Assistant secretary of Health for Mindanao Cluster and Regional Director Abdullah Dumama Jr. said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday, December 19, at the SM City that their move in giving condoms starting next year to junior and senior high school students is part of their advocacy to diminish the risk of unprotected sex, given that Filipino youths are among those who are into unprotected sex.
The statement came after concerned citizens and religious organizations expressed their staunch opposition with the plan of the health agency in countering the problem through distribution of condoms.
Dumama also explained that the agency will be distributing condoms only after providing students with counseling and provide proper education to combat the rise of HIV and Aids among Filipino youth and teenage pregnancy.
Based on their nationwide survey, it was found that there is unavailability of condoms that contribute to the declining rate of condom usage resulting to unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
Dumama underscored that various local government units are having a difficult time in curbing these problems which make their effort aligned with the pressing problem of the localities.
Also, he said that it would not be compulsory as it would only be availed by those who want it.
To date, Davao region ranks fifth in the highest number of HIV cases nationwide.
The Reproductive Health and Wellness Center recorded 475 cases of HIV-Aids in Davao Region from January to October 2016, citing data from the National Epidemiology Bureau.
Davao del Sur topped the list with highest number of HIV-Aids cases in the region which is pegged at 1,925 cases wherein infected person’s age ranges between 15 to 21 and 25 to 29.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes condoms, if used correctly and consistently, as “highly effective [means] in preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI).”
“A large body of scientific evidence shows that male latex condoms have an 80 percent or greater protective effect against the sexual transmission of HIV and other STIs,” a WHO article stated.
Dumama encouraged the public and stakeholders to understand the real intention of the health department in coming up with these strategy for the benefit of the country.
“Napakahirap po talagang dalhin ito (It's hard to bear with this), but we really have to. Wala naman masama kung subukan nating gawin para malaman natin baka pwede namang makaiwas ito sa problema (There's nothing wrong if we do this to know if we can use it to avoid the problem),” he said.