Filipina Struggles with Alarming HIV Rate Increase, Young People Disproportionately Affected
MANILA — The Philippines is grappling with a staggering 543% increase in HIV infections between 2010 and 2023, with one in three diagnosed individuals already in advanced stages. DW’s Ana P. Santos reports on the alarming trend and efforts to tackle it.
In the bustling third-floor waiting area of a Manila shopping center, young men and women relax on plush blue sofas beside a table displaying various condoms, including some with chocolate flavor. Lubes and small pamphlets containing tips for safe sex are also available. Dr. Jeremy Jordan Castro, a medical officer at the HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing clinic Klinika Eastwood, told DW that the comfort and normality of the clinic’s atmosphere is intentional.
"Our goal is to normalize HIV and STI testing as part of routine healthcare. With advancements in treatment and technology, HIV can now be managed like other chronic conditions such as hypertension or diabetes," Castro explained.
The clinic offers a range of services, including STI testing and pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment, all provided free of charge and supported by a diverse, trained team offering confidential counseling.
Klinika Eastwood is part of a broader government initiative aimed at reducing HIV stigma, promoting testing and treatment, and combating the country’s soaring HIV infection rates, particularly among young people.
A recent global UNAIDS report revealed that the Philippines’ HIV infection rates increased by a shocking 543% between 2010 and 2023, despite remaining a low-incidence country with an estimated 189,900 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in 2021. The Department of Health (DOH) warns that, if current trends persist, the number of PLHIV could reach 448,000 by 2030.
Youth most affected
While global trends show progress in managing and reducing HIV infections, the Philippines stands out as an anomaly, now grappling with approximately 50 new HIV diagnoses daily. Almost half of these new infections occur among individuals aged 15-24, with men who have sex with men (MSM) accounting for 89% of these cases.
Benedict Bernabe, head of HIV advocacy and awareness group The Red Whistle, likens the Philippines’ HIV situation to that of New York or San Francisco during the AIDS crisis peak in the 1980s. He emphasizes the need for government health resources to adapt, focusing on targeted testing and interventions for the MSM demographic.
Gibby Gorres of Southeast Asia’s Empowering LGBTQ+ Communities to End Stigma (ETC-END Stigma) acknowledges that the increase in HIV cases among young people partly reflects the government’s decision to lower the age of HIV testing consent to 15 without parental approval. However, he cautions against moral panic in the predominantly Catholic country.
"Teenagers are sexually active, some with multiple partners. We must equip them with accurate sexual health information and allow them to access testing and treatment safely," Gorres said.
Missed opportunities for early intervention
One in three PLHIV in the Philippines is diagnosed at an advanced stage, often only after being diagnosed with related infections like tuberculosis or pneumonia. In 2023, delayed diagnoses resulted in 1,700 AIDS-related deaths, despite global advancements in treatment like PrEP, which is freely available at government-run clinics.
However, government data shows that only 13% of key populations are aware of PrEP, and just 60% know that HIV testing is free. UNAIDS Philippines director Lui Ocampo stresses the urgent need for accessible and timely HIV testing.
Currently, it is estimated that nearly 40% of PLHIV in the Philippines remain undiagnosed due to HIV-related misconceptions and low awareness. Among some communities, such as transgender women (TGW) and female sex workers (FSW), HIV awareness remains alarmingly low, at around 30%.
A long road ahead
Elena Felix has lived with HIV for 30 years. The 66-year-old grandmother recalls her diagnosis in the 1990s, when doctors predicted she would survive no more than a decade. Today, Felix is a staunch HIV rights advocate and leads the Association of Positive Women Advocates Inc. (APWAI), supporting and advocating for women living with HIV.
Felix was among those who filed a complaint against lawyer Larry Gadon, who previously made defamatory remarks about HIV and former President Benigno Aquino III’s passing. In January 2023, the Supreme Court revoked Gadon’s license to practice law. Felix hopes this ruling sends a strong message that HIV status should never be used to humiliate or discredit anyone.
"Using misinformation about HIV to shame and humiliate former President Aquino could greatly harm and discourage, especially young people. We must change the harmful mindset that associates HIV with moral judgment and personal punishment," Felix told DW.
As the Philippines battles its alarming HIV rates, it is clear that much work lies ahead to empower young people with accurate information, promote accessible testing and treatment, and challenge lingering stigmas surrounding HIV and sexual health.
