BY DAVE SUAN ALBARADO
Tagbilaran City has emerged as the top area in Bohol with the highest number of HIV cases, according to reports.
Rubin Culpa, of the City Health Office, said the city’s HIV cases are among the top three in the province, along with Panglao and Guindulman.
The Department of Health (DOH) has not released exact numbers due to the Data Privacy Act and the Philippine HIV and AIDS Law.
Culpa said the affected individuals are mostly between 16 and 34 years old, indicating that young adults are the most vulnerable to the disease.
The City Health Office has launched a campaign to raise awareness about HIV, targeting senior high schools to educate students about the disease.
The office has also appealed to parents to educate their children about the risks of HIV.
To combat the rising number of cases, the office will conduct free HIV testing for the public.
Dr. Fruserma Uy, Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Health Office, said the province’s HIV cases are on the rise due to risky behaviors in the population.
She noted that vertical transmission, or the transmission of HIV from mother to child, is rare, and the main modes of transmission are sexual intercourse and injecting drug use.
The Provincial Health Office has launched a campaign to educate the public about HIV and its prevention.
In Guindulman, Mayor Albino Balo expressed worry over reports that his town is among the top localities in Bohol with high numbers of HIV cases.
He said the local government has been conducting information and education campaigns on the disease since 2017 and has also been implementing programs on reproductive health and HIV testing.
Balo urged the community to maintain moral uprightness, especially among the youth, to prevent the spread of HIV.
He also announced plans to hold a symposium to tackle health and career issues among the youth.
The rising number of HIV cases in Bohol has prompted fears among health officials and Bohol leaders, who are urging the public to take action to prevent the spread of the disease.
BOHOL DATA
Bohol has seen a dramatic increase in reported cases of HIV/AIDS, with 225 new cases recorded in 2023, bringing the total number of cases since 1984 to 668.
According to the Provincial Health Office (PHO), every town in Bohol has reported at least one case of AIDS, showing the widespread nature of the epidemic across the province.
PHO has identified several factors contributing to the rise in cases, including changing social norms, economic hardship, lack of comprehensive education, and stigma and discrimination.
To combat the crisis, local health officials are proposing various initiatives, including sundown clinics, a proposed specialized council, and community engagement.
The increasing number of cases indicates a pressing need for multifaceted approaches that combine medical treatment with social strategies aimed at reducing stigma and improving public awareness about HIV/AIDS.
The Department of Health (DOH) has reported that the country has seen a huge increase in HIV cases in recent years, with the number of cases rising by 20% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
DOH has attributed the increase to a combination of factors, including the growing number of people engaging in high-risk behaviors, such as sex work and injecting drug use, as well as the lack of access to testing and treatment services.
The Philippine government has launched several initiatives to combat the spread of HIV, including the implementation of a national HIV/AIDS program and the establishment of a network of HIV testing centers.
However, despite these efforts, the number of HIV cases in the Philippines continues to rise, with the DOH reporting that the country has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in Southeast Asia.
NATIONWIDE DATA
The Philippines is facing a growing public health crisis as the number of HIV cases continues to rise, with a staggering 418% increase in new infections since 2010.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), the estimated number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Philippines is approximately 189,000, projected to rise to 401,700 by 2030 if current trends continue.
DOH reports an average of 55 new HIV diagnoses per day, with only 64% of those diagnosed receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). The number of AIDS-related deaths has also surged, with a 538% increase since 2010.
The epidemic predominantly affects men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW), with the youth, particularly those aged 15-24, driving new infections.
The incidence of HIV is concentrated in urban areas, with the National Capital Region (NCR) accounting for approximately 42% of cases.
Several challenges hinder effective management of the HIV epidemic in the Philippines, including stigma and discrimination, low awareness and education, and inadequate health services.
The Philippine government has implemented policies aimed at addressing these issues, including the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018. However, achieving targets set by global health initiatives remains a pressing concern.
While the Philippines has one of the lowest rates of HIV infection globally, it is experiencing one of the fastest-growing epidemics. Continued efforts are essential to improve awareness, reduce stigma, and ensure access to treatment for all affected individuals.
The Philippine government and health officials are urging the public to take action to prevent the spread of HIV, including getting tested, using condoms, and seeking medical treatment if infected.
WHAT IS HIV
As the global fight against HIV and AIDS continues, public health experts stress the importance of awareness and prevention in managing the epidemic.
What is HIV?
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells (T-cells) that play a key role in defending against infections. Once contracted, HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, transfusion of infected blood, or from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
Early symptoms of HIV often resemble the flu, appearing within 2–4 weeks of infection. However, many individuals remain asymptomatic for years, unknowingly spreading the virus as their immune systems gradually weaken.
From HIV to AIDS
If left untreated, HIV progresses to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), the most severe stage of the infection. AIDS is characterized by a significantly weakened immune system, a CD4 cell count below 200, and the occurrence of opportunistic infections or certain cancers.
Symptoms of AIDS include persistent fever, chronic diarrhea, severe weight loss, and recurrent infections, often resulting in life-threatening complications.
Treatment and Prevention
While there is no cure for HIV, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has revolutionized the management of the virus. ART suppresses the virus, enabling individuals to live long and healthy lives while also reducing the risk of transmission.
Prevention strategies include consistent condom use, Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for high-risk groups, regular testing, and early treatment. Health authorities also emphasize the importance of education campaigns to combat stigma and encourage people to seek testing and treatment.