HIV cases grow rapidly in PH

United Nations (UN) reported that the Philippines has the fastest growing number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections in Asia.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), there were about 5,401 new HIV cases recorded nationwide from January to June and 216 of them were reported dead. This was a 140 percent increase in new cases from 2010-2016 according to the report.

(Photo Courtesy by Philippine Star)

According to an interview in Inquirer, Genesis Samonte of the Philippine Health Department’s Epidemiology Bureau said that eight out of 10 reported HIV cases were among men having sex with men (MSM).

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial stated: “HIV is one of the top health priorities for the government and that the budget for the disease had been sharply increased.” She also added that her department is aiming to start reversing the trend in five years.