MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has warned that the number of Filipinos living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may double in just six years if prevention and interventions will not be scaled up.
Health authorities also expressed alarm as the number of younger men, aged below 15, contracting HIV has been increasing in the past years.
People living with HIV (PLHIV) in the country is estimated to hit 215,400 by the end of the year, according to data released by the DOH on Sunday, as the country commemorated World AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) Day.
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While the country has still one of the lowest HIV/AIDS infection rates in the world, local and international health authorities noted that the Philippines is experiencing the “fastest growing HIV epidemic” in the Western Pacific region.
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Since 2021, the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases reported monthly has been increasing. Records from the DOH showed that the average monthly cases were 1,027 in 2021, which increased by 21 percent (1,245 case) in 2022, and rose further by 15 percent (1,437) in 2023. This grew to 1,480 cases—another 3 percent increase—in 2024.
Based on the AIDS Epidemic Model (AEM) estimates, the number of PLHIV in the country could reach approximately 448,000 by 2030.
DOH data from January 1984 to September 2024 showed that 94 percent (132,776 cases) of PLHIVs in the country were males, while the remaining (7,876 cases) were females.
Getting younger
By age group, half of the PLHIVs at 69,808 cases belong to the 25-34 age bracket.
But health officials are worried as more younger men are contracting HIV. Almost one in three of PLHIVs in the country (41,219 cases or 30 percent) are aged 15 to 24. The DOH also noted that 471 cases of HIV were recorded in children 14 years old and younger.
“Diagnosed HIV cases are getting younger with the predominant age group shifting from among 35-49 years old in 2002 to 2005, to 25-34 years old starting 2006. Among age groups, the most significant increase in the proportion of cases over the past five years (2019-2023) compared to the period from 1984-2018 was observed in individuals below 15 years old,” the DOH Epidemiology Bureau said in its report.
Fighting stigma
In response to the rising cases of HIV and AIDS in the Philippines, the DOH, in collaboration with the Philippine National AIDS Council, launched on Sunday the “Undetectable = Untransmittable” or the “U=U” campaign to fight HIV/AIDS stigma and effectively raise awareness about prevention, testing and treatment.
Having an undetectable viral load means that there is not enough of the virus in body fluids to pass on HIV during sex, including oral sex, vaginal sex and anal sex.
The DOH reminded the public that regular testing in primary care facilities, local clinics, health centers and mobile testing units can be accessed in confidence. The urgent call for treatment adherence if tested positive for HIV is also part of the campaign, as well as practicing safe sex such as using condoms consistently and using oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of contracting HIV.
PrEP has been shown to be highly effective in preventing HIV infection, particularly for those at higher risk, such as individuals with multiple sexual partners.
“Early detection is key to managing the virus and improving health outcomes. Practice safe sex, regularly undergo HIV testing, and encourage all your peers to do the same,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.
“It is only through collective action that we will be able to end the HIV epidemic in the country. We must all work together to ensure that those who need it most—especially our PLHIVs and other key populations—are able to access our HIV services without difficulty or stigma,” he added.