Acting Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said identifying persons afflicted with Human-Immuno-Deficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) blocks the local government's effort to address the pandemic.
Speaking at the public affairs program, "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" on Sunday, Duterte said persons with AIDS and even the hospitals where they are treated are covered with rule on privacy under the constitution which does not allow disclosure of their identity.
Duterte said the government could have a better hold of controlling the disease if it knows the persons whom patients afflicted with AIDS got in contact with.
He also stressed that government must come up with a better approach in order to protect the people from the spread of HIV-AIDS.
Duterte recalled that one hospital in the city which had one HIV-AIDS patient who passed away did not even bother to discuss the incident with the authorities until he insisted by threatening to close the medical facility.
He asserted that the local government has taken measures to protect public health.
Duterte surmised that the hospital gave the name of the deceased to Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, the chief of the City Health Office.
He said the government has a program on HIV-AIDS from the national, regional to the city level provided that people afflicted with the illness must come out in the open and consult with the doctor.
Duterte also advised persons with AIDS to practice safe sex with the use of condoms in order to protect their partner.
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