No new HIV case reported in 2005
No new case of human immunodeficiency viral infection was reported in the CNMI in 2005, the Department of Public Health said yesterday.
Deputy Secretary for Public Health Pedro Untalan assured that the STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention Program continues to conduct surveillance of HIV cases in the CNMI, even as the department held no awareness campaign during the celebration of World AIDS Day last Dec. 1.
“We’re still conducting HIV and STD [sexually transmitted diseases] awareness in the schools,” Untalan said.
He denied reports that funding woes have hampered the HIV prevention program.
Untalan maintained that the CNMI’s HIV/STD Resource and Treatment Center continues to serve six HIV patients.
The total number of HIV cases in the Commonwealth since 1997 tallied 27, based on an earlier report by the department, which added that 23 of those cases were diagnosed locally. Eight of the 23 patients have already died. Some patients already left the CNMI.
