Kaso ng HIV sa PH tumaas ng 200% sa mga 15-25 years old, ayon sa DOH

– HIV cases among individuals aged 15 to 25 have increased by 500%, prompting urgent calls for national action

– From January to March 2024, an average of 57 new HIV cases were recorded per day in the Philippines—more than double the rate in 2014

– Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa urged for HIV to be declared a National Public Health Emergency to mobilize a united societal response

– The DOH encourages free HIV testing, promotes safe s&x practices, and supports access to PrEP and antiretroviral therapy through public and NGO efforts

The Department of Health (DOH) is calling on national authorities to declare HIV a National Public Health Emergency following a staggering 500% increase in cases among individuals aged 15 to 25.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa emphasized the need for a collective response to curb the rapid spread of the virus.

“Ang maganda, magkaroon tayo ng public health emergency, national emergency for HIV dahil magtutulong-tulong ang buong lipunan,” he said, stressing the importance of a “whole-of-society” and “whole-of-government” approach.

From January to March 2024, an average of 57 new HIV cases were recorded daily—more than double the 21 daily cases reported in 2014.

This makes the Philippines the country with the highest number of new HIV infections in the Western Pacific region.

The DOH also noted a demographic shift. Whereas most HIV cases in the early 2000s were among those aged 35 to 49, recent years show a sharp increase in cases among individuals aged 25 to 34.

Alarmingly, the youngest reported case this year involved a 12-year-old from Palawan.

If the trend continues unchecked, Herbosa warned that cases could surpass 400,000. As of 2024, there are already 215,000 Filipinos living with HIV.

To combat the rise, the DOH urges the public to get tested. Free and confidential testing is available nationwide, along with self-testing kits.

The agency also promotes safe s&x practices using condoms, lubricants, and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

Support services, including PrEP access and counseling, are available through NGOs like Love Yourself Inc.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, Madam Kilay criticized TikTok influencer Yobab for her profanity-laced review of a café in Iloilo, urging her to give feedback respectfully. She warned influencers against abusing their platforms, saying that having many followers doesn’t excuse irresponsible behavior. Madam Kilay accused Yobab of prioritizing viral content over the reputation of small local businesses. The issue reignited calls to declare Yobab persona non grata in Iloilo, with netizens demanding more accountability from digital creators.

Still in other news, a man who was allegedly hallucinating due to the intake of illegal substances was arrested. He slashed the neck of his live-in partner amid such hallucinations. Based on the report of News5, the suspect put his arm around the victim and instantaneously slashed her neck. Neighbors saw the bloody victim struggling as she got out of their home, and immediately brought her to the hospital.