Report Philippines Faces Urgent HIV Crisis as Infections Surge by 500%

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

In a pressing warning to the nation, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa brought attention to the looming HIV crisis in the Philippines, where infection rates have soared by an alarming 500%. The country's growing number of cases has positioned it as the global leader in new HIV infections, with 57 new cases emerging each day. Without swift and decisive action, the total number of Filipinos living with HIV could exceed 400,000.

 

Herbosa has urged President Marcos to declare a national public health emergency to confront the crisis head-on. The call aims to galvanize a 'whole-of-society and whole-of-government' approach to tackle the epidemic. This would not only enhance public awareness but also facilitate widespread collaboration to implement effective strategies for testing, prevention, and treatment.

 

Particularly concerning is the infection's impact on younger demographics. Herbosa highlighted a growing trend among Filipino youth, noting cases in children as young as 12 becoming sexually active and infected. This highlights the urgent need for comprehensive sexual education and preventive measures targeting young people.

 

To combat the spread of HIV and manage existing cases, Herbosa emphasized the necessity of increasing access to antiretroviral treatment, which remains costly. Through the support of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), efforts are being made to ensure that treatment is free at HIV treatment hubs, making it more accessible to those affected.

 

In a move to promote early detection, the Department of Health (DOH) has launched HIV self-test kits, now available in pharmacies nationwide. These kits are designed to alleviate the stigma and fear traditionally associated with HIV testing, encouraging more individuals to know their status. Once a self-test kit yields a positive result, individuals are urged to undergo a confirmatory test at a treatment hub.

 

Herbosa's strategy includes a significant increase in testing, which is crucial for controlling viral loads and preventing further transmission. By encouraging self-testing and facilitating accessible, government-funded treatment, the aim is to turn the tide of this epidemic.

 

As the Philippines confronts this daunting challenge, Herbosa reassures the public that HIV is now treatable and not a death sentence. With coordinated national efforts and a public health emergency declaration, there is hope to reverse the alarming increase in cases, ensuring a healthier future for all Filipinos.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Manila Bulletin 2025-05-31

 

 

[nightfox]

I'm not surprised as when a country like the Philippines and their catholic church frowns on any type of contraceptive and lacks education on STD's, this is the results you get.

[Peterphuket]

Then Thailand has it better in control by now, can remember the posters hanging everywhere, about HIV, the first time I came to Thailand 1993.

[Purdey]

Mechai, the condom king, did a lot to ensure condom use. However, I hear some of those already infected with HIV aren't always using condoms as they don't want to tell their partner they have it.

[soalbundy]

1 hour ago, Peterphuket said:

Then Thailand has it better in control by now, can remember the posters hanging everywhere, about HIV, the first time I came to Thailand 1993.

and now forgotten, do you think the rate of infection is any less in Thailand.

[xylophone]

7 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

and now forgotten, do you think the rate of infection is any less in Thailand.

Who knows, but there must be stats out there tracking the rate of infection in Thailand, but then again there are nutjobs on here who try to do their best to convince others that there is no such thing as a virus or bacteria and neither can be transmitted to another human – – outstanding ignorance.

[NickyLouie]

Thailand also 

 

[bkk6060]

We're seeing infection rates reminiscent of New York or San Francisco during the height of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s," Benedict Bernabe, head of the HIV advocacy and awareness group The Red Whistle, told DW.

Bernabe noted that since 2005, new infections have shifted primarily to men who have sex with men and emphasized the need for government health resources to adapt, focusing on increased testing and targeted interventions for this demographic.

[Quentin Zen]

met an English "teacher" from Phil in Thailand.  got a 13-year-old pregnant back home, I guess it's OK if married.  He fled, but then his story got confusing.    yeah, that was enough for me to wonder what goes on there.....and here.  

[ChicagoExpat]

3 hours ago, nightfox said:

I'm not surprised as when a country like the Philippines and their catholic church frowns on any type of contraceptive and lacks education on STD's, this is the results you get.

Except the countries with the highest HIV rates aren't predominantly Catholic.  What about STDs?  Same thing.

 

In fact, what's remarkable about the countries is how NOT CATHOLIC they are.  Want to blame overall religiosity?  To take just Europe, it's actually the most SECULAR countries that lead (Scandinavia, Russia, and the Baltics are heavily overrepresented).  The 40 spots for the top 5 countries in 8 different STD areas have historically Catholic countries taking only 3 spots out of 40 (Portugal, Ireland, and Monaco appear once each).

 

If you have any other great social theories to share, don't hold back!

[Rimmer]

Off topic and replies removed

[scubascuba3]

They need to make sure PrEP use is widespread and cheap, no point banging on about condoms when people won't use

[JemJem]

2 hours ago, Purdey said:

Mechai, the condom king, did a lot to ensure condom use. However, I hear some of those already infected with HIV aren't always using condoms as they don't want to tell their partner they have it.

 

On a bit of a side note, Mechai was the one who started the chain (restaurant/cafe) named 'Cabbages and Condoms' 🙂

[Donga]

44 minutes ago, ChicagoExpat said:

Except the countries with the highest HIV rates aren't predominantly Catholic.  What about STDs?  Same thing.

 

In fact, what's remarkable about the countries is how NOT CATHOLIC they are.  Want to blame overall religiosity?  To take just Europe, it's actually the most SECULAR countries that lead (Scandinavia, Russia, and the Baltics are heavily overrepresented).  The 40 spots for the top 5 countries in 8 different STD areas have historically Catholic countries taking only 3 spots out of 40 (Portugal, Ireland, and Monaco appear once each).

 

If you have any other great social theories to share, don't hold back!

A little simplistic - Catholicism not the only reason, but expect would be a considerable factor in a country like the Philippines. Thailand did get on top of HIV early on with ongoing reminders and expect prevalence would much lower.

Sticking with HIV, it's Christian African countries with a fair share of Catholics like Lesotho, Botswana and South South Africa (with its troubled past in HIV denial) that lead the world in HIV prevalence per capita.