2024 was not a great year for HIV prevention, with number of new HIV cases increasing 44% faster compared to 2021. With the deadline for 2025 AIDS interim global targets looming in December, the Philippines needs to do a lot more when it comes to reaching the 95-95-95 goals.
The 95-95-95 goals are as follows:
95% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) know their status;
95% of those PLHIV who know their status are enrolled in treatment; and,
95% of those who are in treatment stay in treatment and are undetectable or virally suppressed.
It is estimated that there are 215,400 Filipinos living with HIV by the end of December 2024. Of these, only 61% or 131,335 have been tested and know their status. Of those who know their status, only 67% or 88,544 are enrolled in treatment. And of those who are enrolled in treatment, only 39% or 34,252 are virally suppressed.
The demographics of the HIV epidemic in the Philippines remains the same, except for the troubling trend of increasing number of new cases coming from the 15-24 age group.
Metro Manila remains to be the top region reporting the highest number of new cases, accounting for 22% of the national numbers for July-September 2024. One out of 2 new cases reported in the same period come from the 25-34 age group while the 15-24 age group accounts for one-third of all new cases.
Sexual contact remains to be the leading mode of transmission, accounting for 96%, but there has been a notable increase in the number of vertical transmission cases, or mother-to-child transmission in the last five (5) years.
HIV is no longer a death sentence, but early detection is key. Unfortunately 28% of cases reported in July-September 2024 were detected late, with 1,301 individuals presenting with advanced HIV disease (AHD).
There were also 459 newly reported deaths, almost half of whom were aged 25-34 years old. These deaths are completely preventable. With early diagnosis and adherence to treatment a person living with HIV is expected to have the same life expectancy of someone who does not have HIV.
There's so much more that needs to be done. Get tested to know your status, educate yourself and others, and advocate for more funding for HIV prevention, treatment, and support!
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