Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa raised concerns on Wednesday about the rapid increase in HIV cases in the Philippines. According to Herbosa, an average of 55 individuals are diagnosed with HIV each day.
“The increase in new cases is really high,” Herbosa stated, highlighting that many of the new cases involve young people, some as young as 15 years old. He described this trend as the “very scary part” of the situation.
While HIV is no longer a death sentence due to the availability of life-saving antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), Herbosa pointed out a significant challenge: minors require parental consent to access these medications. This requirement can be problematic, as some minors might avoid seeking parental consent due to fear of revealing their sexual identities.
“They disappear and come back at 18 years old with full-blown AIDS. They could die from that,” Herbosa explained. AIDS, the late stage of HIV infection, can be contracted through unprotected sex, mother-to-child transmission, or needle sharing. Although antiretroviral treatment can still be lifesaving for people with AIDS, early intervention is crucial.
To address this issue, Herbosa suggested a program allowing doctors or guardians to approve ARV access for minors. He also noted that ARVs are currently dispensed only through the government via state insurer PhilHealth, proposing that these drugs should be made available in the private sector as well.
Emphasizing the importance of HIV awareness and prevention among the youth, Herbosa mentioned that early internet exposure could lead to risky behaviors. He has communicated with Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte to intensify HIV education efforts.
In March 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,224 new HIV infections and 12 deaths. Nearly half of the new cases were aged 25-34, with almost a third aged 15-24. The DOH also revealed that 122,255 people in the Philippines are living with HIV, but only 64 percent (78,633 individuals) are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy.
