Long overdue

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Managing Editor ANTONIETA B. LOPEZ Business Editor ODETTE MONTELIBANO Desk Editor MARY ANN BARCELONA Advertising Coordinator RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete

ANDRES R. LEONARDIA Managing Director

Greater awareness of health issues is just as significant as concerns on matters of security, peace and other priority agenda if we take the trite yet conclusive maxim, "sound body, sound mind" with a grain of truth.

The concern becomes even more vital if we take seriously the report on the call by the health department to reactivate the Local Health Board in Bacolod City amid indications of an increase in sexually-transmitted diseases. A health department official, no less, considered the report a wake-up, particularly over the continued threats of STD and HIV-AIDS.

What is envisioned is a multi-agency and sectoral body that will engage in a massive information, education and communication campaign for people to know how to protect themselves and minimize risky behavior. Obviously, the re-activation of such body has long been overdue amid risky behavior and the seeming proliferation of promiscuity and highly liberal views on sex and practices that could lead to the further spread of these diseases.

It is unthinkable for us to see our city and towns in the region grappling with solutions to problems that stem from STD because our community and officials have taken such concern for granted for a long time, while other areas have long joined the bandwagon to cushion and combat the threat of HIV-AIDS and other related health concerns.

The immediate re-activation of health boards in the region is long overdue as a stop-gap measure that will provide greater public awareness and prepare us to handle an explosive health concern if and when it hits us locally.*