NextGen Day

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) daily average confirmed cases in the nation rose to 54 in March of this year.

Dr. Dennis Gregg Almonte, a member of the AIDS Core Team at San Lazaro Hospital, claimed during a media Kapihan forum that HIV cases nationwide had increased since 2013 when the daily average was only 13.

He said the number increased to 31 in 2018, 41 in 2022, and 54 in 2023.

The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 2,078 HIV cases for March 2023 alone. Around 1,981 men and 97 women make up the total.

The age range of 15 to 24 years is where most occurrences occur.

114,008 HIV cases have been reported in the country since 1983.

“Dito po sa amin sa (Here in) San Lazaro as of December 9, 2022, our total HIV patients alive on ART [antiretroviral treatment] is 2,466 and our total private clients alive on ART is 445, with a total of clients alive on ART, 2,911,” Almonte stated.

The DOH seeks to prevent HIV-related illnesses, treat those who already have them, control HIV infection, restore patients’ immunity, and offer psychosocial support.

In authorized treatment hubs across the country, the government provides free HIV testing and drugs.

Almonte noted that as patients receive ART, it is important to stress the limitations of the treatment, such as the fact that it is not curative and that HIV drug resistance and intra-class cross resistance exist.

According to the antiretroviral the patient is using, he continued, “we also inform them of the side effects of ARV, puwede po sila makaranas ng pagkahilo (they could experience dizziness, vivid dreams, or worse, we inform their treatment partners that antiretrovirals have hallucination factor and if it ever happens, they have to send the patient right away to our treatment hub here at San Lazaro hospital).

The patients should follow the lifelong treatment plan to live a quality life.

In keeping with this, organizations that provide care and support motivate patients and their families as soon as they sign up for ART.

“Marami po and bibitiw sa laban (many will give up the struggle) along the way. Almonte stated, “There is just so much we can do for our patients.

Therefore, Positive Action Foundation Philippines, Inc., Pinoy Plus Advocacy Pilipinas, Positibong Marino, The Project Red Ribbon Care Management Foundation, and Love Yourself can assist patients, treatment partners, and caregivers.

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