Philippines recording 55 new HIV cases per day: DOH chief | ABS-CBN
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Philippines recording 55 new HIV cases per day: DOH chief
Philippines recording 55 new HIV cases per day: DOH chief
MANILA — Health chief Teodoro Herbosa on Wednesday expressed concern over the alarming increase in HIV cases in the Philippines.
MANILA — Health chief Teodoro Herbosa on Wednesday expressed concern over the alarming increase in HIV cases in the Philippines.
An average of 55 individuals are being diagnosed with HIV in the country every day, he said.
An average of 55 individuals are being diagnosed with HIV in the country every day, he said.
The increase in new cases is really high, Herbosa said, noting that the "very scary part" is that many young people — as early as 15 years old — are being diagnosed with HIV infection.
The increase in new cases is really high, Herbosa said, noting that the "very scary part" is that many young people — as early as 15 years old — are being diagnosed with HIV infection.
HIV is no longer a death sentence worldwide due to life-saving antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) that can help people living with the infection lead normal lives.
HIV is no longer a death sentence worldwide due to life-saving antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) that can help people living with the infection lead normal lives.
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Herbosa pointed out that minors who test positive for the infection need parental consent to acquire ARVs.
Herbosa pointed out that minors who test positive for the infection need parental consent to acquire ARVs.
He said some minors who need the HIV drugs could struggle to obtain parental consent because doing so, he said, could reveal their sexual identities.
He said some minors who need the HIV drugs could struggle to obtain parental consent because doing so, he said, could reveal their sexual identities.
"Nawawala sila tapos bumabalik sila 18 years old with full-blown AIDS. Mamamatay na 'yon," Herbosa said.
"Nawawala sila tapos bumabalik sila 18 years old with full-blown AIDS. Mamamatay na 'yon," Herbosa said.
(They disappear and then come back at 18 years old with full-blown AIDS. They're going to die.)
(They disappear and then come back at 18 years old with full-blown AIDS. They're going to die.)
AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection, which anyone can get through unprotected sex, mother-and-child transmission, or sharing of needles.
AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection, which anyone can get through unprotected sex, mother-and-child transmission, or sharing of needles.
Antiretroviral treatment can still help people with AIDS, "and it can even be lifesaving," according to US government site hiv.gov.
Antiretroviral treatment can still help people with AIDS, "and it can even be lifesaving," according to US government site hiv.gov.
Because of this potential hurdle in the treatment of minors with HIV, Herbosa suggested a program where "they can allow the doctors or a guardian to allow the ARVs to be had."
Because of this potential hurdle in the treatment of minors with HIV, Herbosa suggested a program where "they can allow the doctors or a guardian to allow the ARVs to be had."
He said ARVs are only allowed to be dispensed by the government through state insurer PhilHealth.
He said ARVs are only allowed to be dispensed by the government through state insurer PhilHealth.
"You can’t buy from the private sector. The other thing is probably make it available in the private sector," he said.
"You can’t buy from the private sector. The other thing is probably make it available in the private sector," he said.
Herbosa also said the younger population needs HIV awareness and prevention because of their early exposure to the internet, which could expose them to risky behaviors.
Herbosa also said the younger population needs HIV awareness and prevention because of their early exposure to the internet, which could expose them to risky behaviors.
He said he has communicated with Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte to intensify HIV education.
He said he has communicated with Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte to intensify HIV education.
In March 2024, the DOH said there were 1,224 new HIV infections with 12 reported deaths. Nearly half of the March cases were aged 25-34 and almost a third were aged 15-24.
In March 2024, the DOH said there were 1,224 new HIV infections with 12 reported deaths. Nearly half of the March cases were aged 25-34 and almost a third were aged 15-24.
The agency said 122,255 people are living with HIV in the Philippines but only 64 percent or 78,633 of them are currently on antiretroviral therapy.
The agency said 122,255 people are living with HIV in the Philippines but only 64 percent or 78,633 of them are currently on antiretroviral therapy.
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