A health worker takes blood samples from people who want to undertake voluntary HIV testing. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Cellona | ABS-CBN News
The Department of Health (DOH) is expanding its HIV/AIDS nationwide testing and prevention efforts in the Philippines due to the continuous rise of the person living with HIV (PLHIV).
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the DOH is acting based on updated global estimates from the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAids).
“We spoke directly with the DOH leadership, and they said that based on UNAids 2024 global HIV data, the Philippines is estimated to have 217,700 people living with HIV, with about 30,800 new infections annually,” Castro said.
Additionally, Castro said that the DOH is expanding access into testing nationwide to respond to the growing cases.
According to the DOH Epidemiology Bureau data, there is a 550 percent increase in new HIV infections from 2010 to 2024, particularly ages 15-24 years old.
Meanwhile, there was also a 22% increase in HIV positive cases from July to September this year having 5,583 individuals recorded compared to 4,595 cases logged in the same quarter last year.
Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Central Visayas and Davao Region are the regions with the highest recorded infections amounting 61 percent or 3,408 total cases.
There are an average of 61 cases per day higher than last year’s third quarter with 51 cases per day.
This quarter’s data revealed that the newly confirmed infections were 95% or 5,299 were men that occur having sex with men as well, while 5% or 285 were women. Cases ranged from one year to 73 years with a median of 27.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros called for a strong policy action to address the increase in HIV infections.
“We have the tools to end AIDS by 2030, but what we need is strong policy action, full implementation of RA 11166 and strategic legislation for a resilient, inclusive, evidence-based response,” Hontiveros said.
Dr. Delia Becina, chief health program officer of the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), said that while RA 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act allow adolescents aged 15 to below 18 to have HIV testing on their own, it is silent on whether they may give consent to HIV training and other HIV related services.
Martha De La Paz, technical adviser of UNAIDS Philippines, recommended amending RA 11166 or its implementing rules and regulations to give minors access to services without parental consent.
According to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), it is working on expanding its package to cover HIV screening, diagnostics, treatment, and preventive care.
A technical working group will be convened to identify and prioritize the HIV and AIDS legislative agenda and draft possible amendments to RA 11166.