Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in the Philippines is on the rise, and it is at an alarming rate. New cases are getting younger and younger, and it may continue to grow if the country doesn't take strict measures to control it.
UNAids revealed the number of new infections in the Philippines among the youth dramatically rise to 170 percent since 2010. From an average of one new case daily in 2008, the agency found it is now 26 new cases a day, per the South China Morning Post.
New cases in the Philippines have doubled in the past seven years. In 2017, 12,000 infections reportedly estimated. The Philippine National Aids Council's (PNAC) sixth HIV & Aids Medium Term Plan, from 2017 to 2022, revealed there were 34,999 people living with HIV in the country as of June 2016.
The plan cited different factors that contribute to the infections' growth. Some of it includes the disease's transmission from heterosexual to homosexual contact and the use of needles among intravenous drug users. Also, the need for parental consent to have minors HIV tested plays a role in hindering early detection and treatment.
Rappler reported Filipinos living with HIV might exceed a quarter of a million by 2030 if it is not controlled. PNAC director Dr. Joselito Feliciano revealed that majority of new infections might be teenagers and young adults between 15 to 24-years-old. He also added that PNAC estimated about 265,900 cases of HIV would emerge in the next decade if the government and the people didn't do anything to control the growing epidemic.
In 2018, there were 32 people diagnosed with HIV every day, and the majority is aged 25 to 39-years-old. It grew from two new cases reported daily in 2008, 13 in 2013, and 22 in 2015. Feliciano noted that the data only showed the number of individuals tested in health centers. As not everyone has their self checked, the number of people living with HIV in the Philippines may be higher.
To control HIV from growing, there are private sectors spreading awareness. They, too, are offering support and erasing the stigma surrounding the disease.
Department of Health noted that the Philippines is at "a critical point" in its fight against HIV. The disease becomes a "national development issue" instead of just a serious health concern.
UNAids regional director for the Asia and the Pacific said, with the help of all concerned sectors, the Philippines can adequately address the problem, and control the trend. "The Philippines has a small window of opportunity to act fast and stop a major HIV epidemic from taking hold," he said. "This commitment is achievable if cities where the epidemic is having a big impact take the lead."
