HIV Spurs Call for Health Emergency in Philippines

(MENAFN) Amidst a concerning escalation in HIV infections across the Philippines, authorities are urging the declaration of a national public health crisis to effectively address the growing threat.

The country is currently experiencing a troubling spike in HIV transmission, prompting health leaders to take more decisive action.

The Philippines is now reporting approximately 57 new HIV diagnoses each day, with a staggering 500 percent surge in cases particularly affecting the youth population.

This data was disclosed by a government-run news agency earlier this week, shedding light on the gravity of the situation.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa warned that the Philippines “now has the highest number of new HIV cases in the Western Pacific Region.”

This unsettling distinction highlights the urgent need for intervention and stronger public health strategies.

Recent statistics indicate there “are 148,831 HIV cases recorded nationwide from 1984 to March this year.”

The number of reported cases has climbed significantly, with “a total of 5,101 cases... logged during the first quarter of this year,” surpassing the 3,409 cases reported in the same timeframe last year.

Herbosa further emphasized the potential severity of the crisis, cautioning that “if we're unable to prevent the increase of HIV cases, we could reach over 400,000 people living with HIV.”

This projection underscores the critical importance of immediate and coordinated action.

In a statement reported by a news agency, the health secretary stated: "It would be good to declare a public health emergency, a national emergency, for HIV because it would encourage the entire society to work together.

A whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach can help us in this campaign to reduce new HIV cases."

Herbosa’s appeal points to the necessity of collective efforts from both the public and governmental sectors to stem the rise of the epidemic.

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