Article Health
Article Health
Article Health
more than
doubled in the past six (6) years from an estimated 4,300 in 2010 to an estimated 10,500 in 2016. The Philippines has
become the country with the fastest growing HIV epidemic in Asia and the Pacific, and has become one of eight countries
that account for more than 85% of new HIV infections in the region.
While the country has the fastest growing epidemic in terms of percentage increase, the number of new infections in the
Philippines is not as high as several countries in the region which are estimated to have tens of thousands of new
infections annually.
“The Philippines has a small window of opportunity to act now and stop a major HIV epidemic from taking hold,” said
Eamonn Murphy, Director UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia-Pacific. “If HIV programming is re-directed to
focus on the people most at risk and where they are located, I’m sure the country can not only return to a stable situation
but even end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.”
While the Philippines has controlled the HIV epidemic among female sex workers, the country noted a shift in the
epidemic in 2007, notably among males who have sex with males then persons who inject drugs, and has therefore scaled-
up services tailored to other key risk populations since that time. The Philippine data showed that in 2016, 83% of newly
reported HIV cases occurred among males who have sex with males (MSM) and transgender women who have sex with
males (TGW). Majority of the new infections are occurring among 15 to 24 year old MSM and TGW.
In 2015, only 35% of 15 to 24 year-old MSM and TGW had correct knowledge on HIV transmission and prevention. This
is indicative of the need to step up HIV information efforts in eliciting behavioral change among people at risk of
infection. Condom use among MSM and TGW has increased from 36% in 2011 to 50% in 2015, which is still below the
80% target. The percentage of MSM and TGW who knew their HIV status by getting tested increased from 5% in 2011 to
16% in 2015; however, this still remains low. HIV testing is the necessary step to access life-saving antiretroviral
medications.
The Philippines has retooled its program to expand HIV services for males who have sex with males and transgender
women and has opened clinics that cater specifically to their needs in urban areas, where the risk of HIV is higher. The
strategy is to focus on 117 cities where 80% of the new infections have been reported and to open in each such city at
least one HIV clinic which has convenient evening hours for working people, and is a one-stop shop that provides
prevention, counseling, laboratory work-up, and treatment services. These are the Sundown clinics. The government has
also taken measures towards enabling rapid HIV screening and delivery of test results.
The Department of Health is providing antiretroviral (ARV) medicine for free to anyone who tests positive for HIV, as
well as other out-patient services to a maximum of PHP 30,000 ($US 600) a year per person. Between 2013 and 2015, the
government increased funding for the HIV program, and now shoulders 70% of all financing for its response.
Local governments have also stepped-up their efforts by providing resources and implementing innovative HIV
prevention services appropriate for their locales. For example, Quezon City has opened three Sundown clinics which
provide rapid HIV testing and counseling for MSM and TGW, as well as HIV treatment in a non-stigmatizing
environment. The city has increased its funding for such initiatives since 2012, and is leading a push to encourage other
local government units to invest more.
“HIV is one of the top health priorities for the government of the Philippines,” said Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, the
Secretary of the Department of Health. “We have significantly increased the budget allocated to HIV in the past few
years, and are now implementing programs which we expect to have a positive impact. The Department of Health,
together with the Philippine National AIDS Council, other government agencies, local government units, and partner civil
society groups is determined and committed to halt the increase in the number of cases and start reversing the trend of the
epidemic in five (5) years.”
NAME: Kyle Vincent I. Parilla
GRADE & SECTION: X-Newton
Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of RA 85041