By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
As the Philippines continues to grapple with the effects of a prevalent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in contrast to international peers, Malacañang said that the government is doing everything in its power to stem the spread of this disease.
This, as Noel Palaypayon, senior health program officer at the Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau, shared worrying statistics about the scope of the HIV/AIDS phenomenon in the country at a Senate panel hearing Tuesday.
Palaypayon noted a 555% increase in new infections between 2010-2024, compounded by a 667% change in acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related deaths during the same time period. While national HIV incidence remains below 1%, the alarming rise in cases paints a worrying projection of up to 457,000 incidences by 2030.
Of all these cases tallied by the agency, 58% are estimated to be concentrated in the Greater Metro Manila area. Moreover, four LGUs—Quezon City, Manila, Cebu City, and Davao City—bear the greatest burden from this sexually-transmitted disease (STD).
These cases are prevalent among adults aged 25-34 years old, with 49% of those belonging in this age group being diagnosed with HIV and 61% of them acquiring this disease through sexual contact, which remains the primary vector in its transmission.
Figures also show a significant uptick in the daily average cases, with 56 incidences recorded per day compared to 21 in 2015. Annual deaths due to this disease also exceeded 900 from 2022 onwards.
All of these statistical numbers are tallied in the HIV Care Cascade, which shows that the country still has some progress to make to achieve its 95-95-95 HIV target (95% PLHIV aware of their status, 95% of diagnosed individuals undergoing antiretroviral therapy, 95% of those on treatment on track to achieve viral suppression) by 2030.
Interventions to curb the spread of the disease
In a briefing Wednesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro shared some of the initiatives that the DOH is undertaking to address this pressing national health concern.
Castro told reporters, “Sa ngayon po, pinapalawak ng DOH ang testing sa mga Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Centers at pinapapasok na rin po sa bawat primary care facility sa pamamagitan ng pagrerepaso ng YAKAP para ito ay masama, itong ating mga kababayan na living with HIV. At ang DOH na rin po ang bumibili ng pre-exposure prophylaxis na nakakatulong sa pagpigil ng paghawa.”
These interventions are complemented by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) introduction of its enhanced Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment (OHAT) Package, which raises the financial assistance to people living with HIV (PLHIV) to P58,500 from the previous P30,000.
This annual benefit covers antiretroviral therapy (ART) for individuals with confirmed HIV test results from certified facilities, providing leeway for treatments and other services required for effective HIV management.
At the same briefing, the Palace mouthpiece moreover renewed the call for information and awareness campaigns to bolster the country’s fight against this epidemic that strikes at the heart of the populace.
“Mas maganda po talaga na mas malalim na pagbibigay impormasyon sa publiko [tungkol sa] maaari [nilang] sapitin kapag hindi sila responsable sa kanilang mga aksyon.”
For those seeking HIV screening and/or treatment, one may approach or contact the following non-government organizations: PLHIV Response Center (Pinoy Plus Advocacy Pilipinas), Project Red Ribbon, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Philippines, and LoveYourself Inc.
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