The Department of Health (DOH) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) applauded global efforts in the fight against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), citing significant strides made by countries worldwide after adopting the United Nations Political Declaration in 2021.
However, amid the declining trends in HIV incidence and AIDS-related deaths globally, the Philippines stands out with an alarming growth rate in its HIV epidemic, based on UNAIDS data.
“Leakages and gaps along the HIV care cascade exist and, if left unaddressed, may further contribute to the increasing number of new HIV infections in the country,” UNAIDS reported on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
As of 2023, the organization reported 26,700 new HIV infections, with 29 percent of newly confirmed cases displaying advanced clinical signs of HIV disease upon diagnosis.
It noted that delayed entry into medical care was also observed among newly confirmed cases.
In 2022, the Philippines achieved only 63-66-27 of the 95-95-95 targets set by the DOH.
This gap leaves 96,402 people living with HIV (PLHIV) without life-saving antiretroviral treatment (ARV).
To meet the UNAIDS target of 95-95-95, the country must diagnose 61,496 PLHIV, enroll 20,017 in treatment, and bring back 14,916 PLHIV into care.
UNAIDS data in December 2022 also revealed that only 27 percent of those alive and on treatment were tested for viral load and virally suppressed.
Additionally, 66 percent of diagnosed individuals were alive and on treatment, and 63 percent of estimated PLHIV were diagnosed.
Regarding this, the organization underscored the importance of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and antiretroviral (ARV) drugs as a lifeline for individuals living with HIV.
ART plays a crucial role in managing HIV by suppressing virus replication, restoring the immune system, delaying disease progression, reducing the risk of transmission, and improving the quality of life for PLHIV.
Moreover, in response to concerns about the unstable supply of ARV drugs in June, DOH Assistant Secretary Beverly Lorraine Ho shared insights into the department's collaborative efforts.
"We were working very closely with our civil society partners, regional offices, and treatment hubs. We are now ensuring that, in collaboration with our partners from USAID and the Global Fund, any delayed procurement will be addressed, following the procurement laws we adhere to,” Ho said.
In an interview on the sidelines of the “Empowered Stories: Media Guide on HIV Reporting” event, Ho highlighted internal organizational efforts aimed at ensuring early and accurate projections of the department's medication needs.
"Hopefully, we're prepared for the next few years so that we won't have a situation like that again," she noted, emphasizing the DOH's commitment to preventing future supply challenges.
Recognizing the difficulty of achieving a "normalized supply," Ho reassured the public that the DOH is actively monitoring all patients deserving of their medicines.
The department typically provides most patients with a three-month supply to maintain an adequate stock.
“Katulad ng pagkakaroon ng sitwasyon dati na nakukuha ng tao ‘yung gamot pero mas kaunti, kaya naman kailangan nilang bumalik every month instead of every three months, so ‘yun din naman ang tina-try ng department na maiwasan (Similar to the situation before when people would get the medication but in smaller quantities, requiring them to return every month instead of every three months, that is also what the department is trying to avoid),” she explained.
Moreover, Ho stated that the health department remains vigilant and proactive in its efforts to prevent disruptions in the supply of crucial medications, particularly for patients relying on ARV drugs.