‘HIV cases to more than double by 2030’

MANILA, Philippines — The number of Filipinos living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) will more than double by 2030, according to an official of the Department Health (DOH).

“The projected increase in new HIV infections is 36,700 in 2030 from 26,700 this year,” Noel Palaypayon of the National HIV and STI Surveillance and Strategic Information unit of the DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau said during an HIV summit held on Friday.

With the increase, Palaypayon said the estimated 189,000 Filipinos with HIV by the end of this year is projected to increase by more than two-fold to 401,700 by 2030.

At least 1,518 new HIV cases or an average of 49 per day were detected in June, the DOH said.

The DOH said 211 deaths due to HIV infection were also reported in the same month.

More than half of the cases were from the National Capital Region with 365; Calabarzon, 250, and Central Luzon, 158.

Palaypayon said the HIV epidemic in the country remains concentrated among key and vulnerable sectors. These are are men having sex with men, female sex workers, transgender women, people who inject drugs, young population as well as women and children.

Palaypayon said 89 percent of the estimated new HIV infections this year are among men having sex with men, nearly half or 47 percent of them aged 15 to 24.

In terms of geographical distribution, most of those with HIV are residents of Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Central Luzon.

“We know that the HIV epidemic in the country is projected to continuously increase in the next years. However, we must not discount the efforts we’ve made in the past years,” Palaypayon said.

To successfully turn the tide of the HIV epidemic in the country, he stressed the need for treatment and protection as well as strengthening and sustaining the gains of the program for people with HIV.

The DOH said testing and treatment for HIV is being provided by various local government units.