Philippines Faces HIV Crisis: The Young, And Men Who Have Sex With Men Most At Risk
ABC News recently shed light on a pressing health issue in the Philippines. The country faces one of the world’s fastest-growing HIV epidemics. This crisis affects many, but young people are hit hardest.
“I was afraid of being screened”
Jose Roel II Javarez’s story is all too common. At 22, he nearly died before learning he had HIV. He started having casual sex at 13 but avoided testing due to fear and stigma.
“During my village days I was curious: exploring everything, trying everything,” Javarez told ABC News. “I still don’t know how I got it.”
His experience highlights a big problem. Many people don’t get tested because they’re scared of judgment.
The Numbers Tell a Scary Story
The Philippines has seen a huge jump in HIV cases. In 2012, there were about nine new cases daily. By 2023, that number shot up to 46. That’s a 411 per cent increase in just over a decade.
Young people make up most of these cases. Over 75 per cent of reported infections are in people under 35. Nearly half of new cases in 2023 were in the 15-24 age group.
Why Is This Happening?
Several factors fuel this crisis: a lack of testing, late diagnosis, social stigma and poor sex education.
Many people, especially men who have sex with men, never get tested. When they do, it’s often too late. About a third of new cases in January 2023 already showed signs of advanced HIV.
“Our community considers being PLHIV as a weakness”
Stigma is a huge barrier. The Philippines is mostly Catholic and very conservative. Many families don’t talk about sex at all. This silence breeds fear and misunderstanding.
Rowalt Alibudbud, who teaches at De La Salle University in Manila, says HIV is often seen as “sin and immorality” in the Philippines. This view makes it hard for people to seek help or even talk about the issue.
Hope on the Horizon
But there’s good news, too. Groups like Love Yourself are working to change things. They offer free health services and have tested about 250,000 people yearly. They’re also treating 14,000 people living with HIV.
Dr Ronivin Pagtakhan, who started Love Yourself, sees the rising numbers as a “double-edged sword”. Yes, there’s an epidemic, but more people are also getting tested now.
What Needs to Change?
Experts say a few key things could help:
- Better sex education in schools
- More access to condoms for young people
- Fighting stigma through public awareness
- Government support for HIV programs
The path forward isn’t easy. But with understanding, education, and compassion, the Philippines can turn the tide on this health crisis.
