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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Philippines sees world's fastest rise in new HIV cases: DOH calls for public health emergency

Philippines sees world's fastest rise in new HIV cases: DOH calls for public health emergency

Published Jun 2, 2025 12:56 pm  |  Updated Jun 2, 2025 02:52 pm
(MB FILE PHOTO)
(MB FILE PHOTO)

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa has urged President Marcos to declare a national public health emergency over Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), warning that the Philippines now records the highest increase in new HIV cases in the world.

“Fifty-seven new cases a day. 500 percent increase ito. Tayo ang pinakamataas sa na numero ng new cases of HIV sa buong mundo. Iyon ang nakakaalarma (Fifty-seven new cases a day. That’s a 500 percent increase. We have the highest number of new HIV cases in the world. That’s what’s alarming),” Herbosa said during a radio interview, Sunday, June 1.

The DOH, he said, has already launched several interventions, but the worsening situation demands stronger national action.

“May mga programa kami na inumpisahan. Ako nga ay nanghihingi ng request sa Presidente na mag-issue rin ng national public health emergency diyan sa problema ng HIV, hindi sa Mpox. Sa HIV tayo may problema (We’ve already started some programs. I’m formally requesting the President to declare a national public health emergency for the HIV problem, not Mpox. It’s HIV we’re struggling with),” he stated.

What makes the situation even more alarming, Herbosa noted, is that HIV infections are now being detected among much younger individuals.

According to the DOH chief, the youngest case reported is a 12-year-old child from Palawan who is already sexually active.

“Mayroon tayong 12-year-old nag-se-sex na siya, sa Palawan, positive. Ang bata. Before that 15 ‘yung pinakabata (We have a 12-year-old who is already sexually active in Palawan, and he’s HIV-positive. A child. Before that, the youngest was 15),” said Herbosa.

“Marami kaming cases 14, 16, active sexual practice na (We have many cases, 14, 16 years old, already engaged in sexual activity).”

Herbosa noted that the trend has shifted from older adults to adolescents.

“Ito ang prinoproblema ko ngayon, dati mga 25 upwards ang nagkaka-HIV (This is what’s troubling me now, before, people getting HIV were aged 25 and up),” he said.

Despite the surge, Herbosa stressed that HIV is no longer a death sentence and can be managed with proper treatment.

“Ang HIV ngayon nagagamot na, basta ma-test ka at mabigyan ka ng tinatawag na anti retroviral (HIV can now be treated, as long as you’re tested and given what’s called antiretroviral therapy),” he stressed.

Related Tags

HERBOSA HIV CASES PHILIPPINES HEALTH EMERGENCY MARCOS DOH
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