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27 HIV cases noted in NMI since ’97
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Posted on Aug 24 2005
Only 27 HIV infections have been reported in the Commonwealth since 1997 and 23 of these cases were diagnosed here, according to the Department of Public Health during the Workers’ Health and Safety Conference held last week.
Public Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider said that, of the 23 cases diagnosed here, 13 were males and 10 were females.
Hofschneider said that eight of the diagnosed cases have already passed away, while 13 cases still need to be monitored; the rest have left the islands.
“Of the 23 cases, most were nonresident workers, followed by Chamorros, then Micronesians,” he said.
He said there are currently six HIV patients being served by the HIV/STD Resource and Treatment Center.
Hofschneider said, though, that there have been no “true positive cases” of HIV infection reported in the last three years.
The HIV/STD Program of the Department of Public Health, located on Navy Hill, was opened in 2003. The center has four full-time staff, in addition to a part-time physician and nurse. Hofschneider said the program is federally funded from programs such as Comprehensive STD Prevention Systems, HIV Prevention Projects for the Pacific Islands, HIV Surveillance and Ryan White Care Act.
Hofschneider said that services being offered at the center include coordination of all positive Alien Health Screening tests with private clinics, free outreach prevention and intervention services through education, the creation of educational pamphlets, videos, and other materials, free STD testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B and Syphilis; free and confidential HIV screening and testing and counseling for pre-and post-test for HIV and STDs, and HIV primary care.
For assistance and guidance, contact the HIV/STD Resource and Treatment Center at 664-4050, 664-4053, 664-4055, 664-4057 to 58 or fax them at 664-4051 or email them at stdhiv1@vzpacifica.net.
