By I. Inojales | 07:27 PM June 13, 2025
Tagbilaran City — Bohol media practitioners gathered on June 20, 2025, at Panda Tea Garden for a training on responsible and stigma-free reporting about Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Organized by the Provincial Health Office (PHO), the forum highlighted the media’s role in raising awareness and promoting accurate, inclusive information about HIV. PHO OIC Dr. Fruserma Mary Uy emphasized that HIV prevention begins with education and breaking misconceptions.
AIHA Country Director Dr. Leo John Nathaniel Estrada discussed HIV transmission, prevention strategies like ABCDE and PreP, and legal protections under Republic Act 11166. Dr. Jasper Vijar of Team Dugong Bughaw urged media to report with empathy and avoid sensationalism.
Local HIV data and trends were also presented by Dr. Wilnilia Causing of GCGMMC, underscoring the need for early diagnosis, treatment, and confidentiality to combat stigma.
The training forms part of Bohol’s ongoing campaign to meet the global 95-95-95 HIV targets by 2030 while linking health advocacy to community empowerment.
