Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 2) — While the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, other chronic health conditions persist, and for the newly appointed health secretary, one of the marching orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was to address the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases among the youth.
“Sinabihan tayo ng World Health Organization na isa tayo sa mga countries with a very high rate of [HIV] transmission, dumadami. So, tutukan natin ito upon his [Marcos] instructions,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.
[Translations: The World Health Organization said we are one of the countries with a very high rate of HIV transmission. The number is growing, so we will focus on that, upon the president’s instructions.]
In March, the Epidemiology Bureau of the Department of Health (DOH) logged 2,078 new HIV cases, with 132 infections from ages 19 and below, the highest recorded numbers in 2023.
Based on the HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines, the DOH says the overall number of cases logged in March this year is 35% higher compared to March 2022 data.
The World Health Organization defines HIV as an infection that attacks the body’s immune system. A person with a weakened immune system is vulnerable to other illnesses such as tuberculosis, fungal infections, severe bacterial infections and even cancer.
Meanwhile, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most severe stage of HIV.
People with AIDS can easily transmit HIV to others and if left untreated, patients may survive only for about three years, it said.
The country’s AIDS registry revealed that the majority of people living with HIV (PLHIV) are male, while the age group with the most cases is from 25 to 34 years.
It also reported that sexual contact remains the most common mode of HIV transmission with 1,219 cases. Among these, 869 were transmitted through male-to-male sex, 183 through sex with male and female, and 96 through male-to-female sex.
The April report added that NCR, Calabarzon and Central Luzon are the regions with the most reported cases of HIV.
Deflating the number
According to the DOH, the country has a sufficient supply of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for PLHIV until April 2024.
It added that 243,000 bottles of Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Dolutegravir are expected to arrive in July, while another 292,000 bottles will arrive in September.
READ: DOH: Supply of drugs to treat HIV enough till April 2024
During World AIDS Day in December 2022, the DOH said the target of the 7th AIDS Medium Term Plan is to further develop “rights-based, community-led, and evidence-based HIV services.”
These include prevention, sexual and reproductive health services, and HIV testing and treatment.
Under Republic Act 111666, or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the Philippine National AIDS Council is tasked to craft the AIDS Medium Term Plan, and update it every six years.
The DOH has also released the latest list of facilities with available HIV services nationwide.
RA 111666 states that individuals from 15 to 17 years old can undergo HIV testing without parental consent.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, urged the DOH and the Department of Education (DepEd) to launch more HIV awareness campaigns among the youth.
“Ang nakababahalang balitang ito ay kinakailangan ng mas maigting na pakikipag-ugnayan ng DOH sa iba’t ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno at mga lokal na pamahalaan para ikalat nang husto ang kaalaman tungkol sa sakit at kung paano maiwasan ito,” he said.
[Translation: This alarming news needs better coordination between the DOH and other government agencies and local government units to heighten awareness about the disease and its prevention.]
In 2021, the WHO said 35% of Filipinos with HIV were unaware that they had been infected.
During the 2023 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial on May 21, DepEd reminded the public to \”advocate for correct and accurate information on HIV/AIDS to break the stigma and misconceptions.\” The memorial also honored volunteers and organizations that help AIDS victims.
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