Rising HIV Cases Threaten Over 400,000 Filipinos
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa warned on June 3 that the number of Filipinos living with HIV could surpass 400,000 if urgent steps are not taken to halt the rapidly increasing infection rate. He stressed the importance of addressing the problem now to prevent a larger health crisis.
“Kapag hindi po natin napigilan ang pagdami ng HIV, aabot tayo sa lampas 400,000 people living with HIV,” Herbosa said, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The secretary called for immediate government and societal action to curb this alarming trend.
National Emergency Urged Amid 500% Surge
Earlier, Secretary Herbosa urged President Marcos to declare a national public health emergency on HIV due to a staggering 500 percent rise in new infections. According to sources, the country now records 57 new HIV cases each day.
“Fifty-seven new cases a day. 500 percent increase ito. Tayo ang pinakamataas sa na numero ng new cases of HIV sa buong mundo. Iyon ang nakakaalarma,” he explained, emphasizing that the Philippines now leads in new HIV cases globally. This rapid increase demands a strong, coordinated response.
Youth Most Affected by HIV Increase
The DOH chief pointed out that the epidemic is especially impacting younger Filipinos. “Napakarami po ng ating new cases sa ating mga kabataan,” Herbosa said, sharing the case of a 12-year-old from Palawan who was already sexually active and diagnosed with HIV. This highlights the need for targeted prevention and education programs.
Scaling Up Testing, Prevention, and Treatment
With the threat growing, Herbosa called for a dramatic expansion of the country’s HIV response—focusing on testing, prevention, and treatment. He noted the high cost of antiretroviral drugs, which makes early intervention critical.
“Mahal po ang pagbayad ng mga gamot ng anti retrovirals kaya kailangang-kailangan po ma-increase natin ang testing, ma-increase natin ang prevention, ma-increase natin ang treatment, at bumaba ang viral load,” he said.
The secretary stressed that HIV is now a manageable condition and no longer a death sentence. He urged society and government agencies to unite in this fight.
“Nagagamot na po ang HIV ngayon, at hindi kailangang mamatay dahil advanced HIV or AIDS. Ang maganda, magkaroon tayo ng public health emergency—national emergency for HIV—dahil magtutulong-tulong ang buong lipunan, the whole-of-society, whole-of-government can help us in this campaign na mapababa ang new cases of HIV,” Herbosa added.
Encouraging Early Detection Through Self-Testing
To improve early diagnosis, the Department of Health is promoting the use of HIV self-test kits, which are now available in pharmacies nationwide.
“Mayroon na rin tayo sa Pilipinas nung self-test kits, and I hope magamit itong self-test kits para makapag-test lalo na ‘yung iba sa stigma, iyong iba takot magpa-test,” he explained. This allows more people to test privately and overcome the stigma associated with HIV.
Those who test positive through self-testing can then take a confirmatory test at designated treatment hubs where antiretroviral treatment is free and covered by PhilHealth.
“So pwedeng bumili sa ating mga butika ng self-test kits for HIV and later on pwede naman gawan ng confirmatory test, at kapag may testing na po, sa ating HIV treatment hubs libre po, bayad ng PhilHealth ang ating antiretroviral treatment,” Herbosa concluded.
The time to act is now. A whole-of-society approach is essential to reverse the surging HIV cases and protect the health of Filipinos nationwide.
For more news and updates on HIV, visit Filipinokami.com.