Experts and health workers debate sexually transmitted infections in Alhama

The second round table on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was held at the House of Culture. The event, organized by the Ministry of Health and the Vihsibles Association, took place on Tuesday.

The event brought together leading experts, medical professionals and citizens interested in preventing and raising awareness about these diseases, the city council said.

Health Advisor Lali Salas was in charge of opening the event. Salas emphasized the importance of natural solutions to STIs and noted Alama de Murcia’s recent joining of Fast-Track city, a global initiative to combat HIV.

For his part, Dr. Mariano Leon, secretary of Vihsibles, presented some alarming data: the number of gonorrhea cases in the Murcia region has increased 10-fold, and 75% of late HIV diagnoses occur in heterosexual women.

Dr. Carlos Galera from the HIV and STI Unit of the Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital stressed the importance of taking an HIV test at least once in one’s life.

And Dr. Rosa Miñarro shared data from the Murcia checkpoint, where more than 50 cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea were detected in a year.

The roundtable also featured an emotional testimony from Veronica Sanchez, a member of Vihsibles, who spoke about her experiences as a person living with HIV.

The Ministry of Health reports that it intends to continue working to promote healthy habits and raise awareness among the population.