MANILA (Mabuhay) – By the end of 2014, the number of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the Philippines is projected to hit 32,379, according to the Department of Health.
During the Senate inquiry on six bills that will strengthen policies on HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment, DOH Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag said the reported HIV cases has reached 19,330 since 1984 when the first Filipino HIV case was confirmed by the DOH.
“The new HIV cases has actually increased by 532 percent from 2008 to 2013 and for January to June this year alone, the total reported cases hit 2,814,” Tayag told the Senate committee on health and demography chaired by Sen. Pia Cayetano.
Tayag said out of the 19,330 reported cases among Filipinos from 1984 to June 2014, a total of 1,766 are AIDS cases.
He said the number of persons who do not voluntarily undergo testing for HIV infection are included in the projected number of persons with HIV by end of this year.
Where’s Michael Weinstein, the leader of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the world’s largest HIV/AIDS service provider? He’s busy pushing mandatory “protective barriers” on the most tested community on earth.
Keep reading…
Leave a Comment