By Xander Ledesma
On December 1, 2024, the Philippine Red Cross Negros Occidental-Bacolod City Chapter joined the global observance of World AIDS Day, promoting the theme “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!” to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, combat stigma, and advocate for accessible healthcare for all.
The event underscored the continued impact of HIV/AIDS globally and in the Philippines. According to the Department of Health (DOH), over 70,000 HIV cases have been recorded in the country as of 2023. The Red Cross chapter emphasized the importance of education, testing, and treatment in addressing the ongoing epidemic and called for community involvement to reduce new infections and ensure care for affected individuals.
In Bacolod City, the Philippine Red Cross offers free HIV testing, counseling, and treatment services, aiming to detect new cases and provide access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Outreach campaigns are also conducted to educate the public on prevention methods and to counter misinformation that fuels stigma and discrimination.
The 2024 theme, “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!”, highlights health as a fundamental human right. This message aligns with the Philippines’ goal of reducing new HIV infections by 75% by 2025, in accordance with United Nations global targets.
World AIDS Day serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to support individuals living with HIV and to ensure accessible healthcare for all. In Bacolod City, health professionals, advocates, and the community came together to back the Red Cross’s initiatives, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in addressing the epidemic.
The observance also commemorated lives lost to HIV/AIDS and renewed the commitment to eliminate stigma, ensuring that those living with HIV receive the care and support they need.