The HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines report, according to the Department of Health, said 2,078 new human immunodeficiency virus cases were logged in March alone, with 57 deaths.
It added that the number of people diagnosed with HIV per day is 54.
“This is the first time that the country recorded more than 2,000 new HIV cases in a month since 2021,” the department said.
The figure is worrying as it is higher by 35 percent compared to the 1,537 HIV cases registered in March last year.
Of those found infected, 498 had advanced HIV infections at the time of diagnosis. For the first three months of 2023, the DOH recorded 4,819 HIV cases, including 141 deaths.
The report said sexual contact is the most common mode of HIV transmission, with 2,025 cases. Broken down further, male-to-male sex accounted for 1,478 cases, sex with male and female 343, and male-to-female sex, 204.
While there are free lifesaving antiretroviral (ARV) drugs available for People Living with HIV (PHIV), the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” still rings true, especially for HIV. And based on the rising trend in infections, it looks like government and the private sector has to put more effort into education and awareness programs, especially among vulnerable sectors of the population. Those who share needles for drug use, engage in casual sex with strangers or multiple partners, or work with needles in the health profession have to be made more aware of the modes and dangers of HIV transmission, along with the necessary precautions they will need to employ if their behaviors cannot be avoided.
The rising trend in HIV infections will also require government react by providing more safe and confidential avenues for testing, along with access to treatments and counseling for those who test positive.
Being infected with HIV used to be almost a death sentence, and while there is still no cure, infections are now more manageable due to the miracle of modern medicine. Stepping up efforts to prevent further infections while providing treatment to those who are infected will help save and improve Filipino lives.*
