Latest news with #WesternPacific
Al Bawaba
7 hours ago
- General
- Al Bawaba
Philippines eyes HIV public health emergency amid 500% youth surge
Published June 3rd, 2025 - 06:21 GMT The country now has the highest number of new HIV infections in the Western Pacific Region. As of March 2025, a total of 148,831 HIV cases have been documented nationwide since 1984. ALBAWABA- The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) is pushing to declare HIV a national public health emergency following a staggering 500% increase in cases among Filipino youth aged 15 to 25. Also Read Millions to begin sacred Hajj journey tomorrow from Mina According to the Philippine News Agency, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, in a video message on Tuesday, warned of an accelerating crisis, citing the diagnosis of a 12-year-old child in Palawan, the youngest recorded case to date. Herbosa noted that while he did not detail youth-specific figures, the country now has the highest number of new HIV infections in the Western Pacific Region. As of March 2025, a total of 148,831 HIV cases have been documented nationwide since 1984. Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa has urged President Marcos to declare a national public health emergency over Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), warning that the Philippines now records the highest increase in new HIV cases in the world. READ:… — Manila Bulletin News (@manilabulletin) June 2, 2025 Alarmingly, 5,101 new cases were recorded in the first quarter alone, up from 3,409 in the same period last year. This brings the daily average to 57 new infections, compared to 37 previously. 'If we don't act now, the number of people living with HIV in the Philippines could surpass 400,000,' Herbosa cautioned. He said that declaring a public health emergency would mobilize a whole-of-government response, crucial to stemming the tide of new infections. Since 2007, HIV transmission in the country has been predominantly among males having sex with males, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. The DOH is advocating for a combination prevention strategy that includes consistent condom use, lubricants, and pre-exposure prophylaxis. Also Read Gaza truce fails over unexpected Israeli Obstacles Free, confidential HIV testing is available through government services, and those who test positive are urged to begin antiretroviral therapy immediately. To support treatment, PhilHealth offers an enhanced Outpatient HIV Treatment Package, providing up to PHP58,500 annually per patient, covering medication and related care. Herbosa, a member of the UNAIDS Board, emphasized the importance of international collaboration to address the growing epidemic and ensure sustainable access to resources. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Free Malaysia Today
11 hours ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Philippines warns of health emergency as HIV cases soar
Just 55% of those living with HIV in the Philippines have been diagnosed. (AFP pic) MANILA : Philippine medical authorities today warned of a looming 'public health emergency' as HIV infections have soared this year, with young males especially hard-hit. On average, 57 new cases a day were tallied in the country of 117 million people over the first three months of 2025, a 50% jump from a year earlier, health department data shows. 'We now have the highest number of new cases here in the Western Pacific,' health secretary Ted Herbosa said in a video message released today. 'What is frightening is, our youth make up many of the new cases,' he said. 'It would be in our interest to (declare) a public health emergency, a national emergency for HIV to mobilise the entire society, the whole of government to help us in this campaign to reduce the number of new HIV cases,' Herbosa added. The health department said 95% of newly reported cases were male, with 33% aged 15 to 24 and 47% aged 25 to 34. The government did not explain the causes behind the surge, which it said had set back government attempts to hit global targets set by a United Nations campaign to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Under Philippine law, the president can declare a health emergency if an epidemic poses a threat to national security. The start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 was the last time that was done. Just 55% of those living with HIV in the Philippines have been diagnosed, the health department said, while only 66% of those diagnosed are on life-saving antiretroviral therapy. Sexual contact remains the predominant mode of transmission, with the bulk of cases since 2007 attributed to men having sex with men. HIV cases have been on the rise in the Philippines since 2021, with 252,800 people estimated to be living with HIV in the country by the end of this year.
South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Philippines HIV cases jump 500%, prompting ‘public health emergency' warning
Philippine medical authorities on Tuesday warned of a looming 'public health emergency' as HIV infections have soared this year, with young males especially hard hit. Advertisement On average, 57 new cases a day were tallied in the country of 117 million people over the first three months of 2025, a 500 per cent jump from a year earlier, health department data shows. 'We now have the highest number of new cases here in the Western Pacific,' Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said in a video message released on Tuesday. 'What is frightening is, our youth make up many of the new cases,' he said. 'It would be in our interest to [declare] a public health emergency, a national emergency for HIV to mobilise the entire society, the whole of government to help us in this campaign to reduce the number of new HIV cases,' Herbosa added. Advertisement The health department said 95 per cent of newly reported cases were male, with 33 per cent aged 15–24 and 47 per cent aged 25–34.
South China Morning Post
15 hours ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Philippines faces HIV ‘public health emergency' as new cases jump 50%
Philippine medical authorities on Tuesday warned of a looming 'public health emergency' as HIV infections have soared this year, with young males especially hard hit. On average, 57 new cases a day were tallied in the country of 117 million people over the first three months of 2025, a 50 per cent jump from a year earlier, health department data shows. 'We now have the highest number of new cases here in the Western Pacific,' Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said in a video message released on Tuesday. 'What is frightening is, our youth make up many of the new cases,' he said. 'It would be in our interest to [declare] a public health emergency, a national emergency for HIV to mobilise the entire society, the whole of government to help us in this campaign to reduce the number of new HIV cases,' Herbosa added. The health department said 95 per cent of newly reported cases were male, with 33 per cent aged 15–24 and 47 per cent aged 25–34.
Al Arabiya
16 hours ago
- General
- Al Arabiya
Philippines warns of health emergency as HIV cases soar
Philippine medical authorities on Tuesday warned of a looming 'public health emergency' as HIV infections have soared this year, with young males especially hard-hit. On average, 57 new cases a day were tallied in the country of 117 million people over the first three months of 2025, a 50 percent jump from a year earlier, health department data shows. 'We now have the highest number of new cases here in the Western Pacific,' Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said in a video message released Tuesday. 'What is frightening is, our youth make up many of the new cases,' he said. 'It would be in our interest to (declare) a public health emergency, a national emergency for HIV to mobilize the entire society, the whole of government to help us in this campaign to reduce the number of new HIV cases,' Herbosa added. The health department said 95 percent of newly reported cases were male, with 33 percent aged 15-24 and 47 percent aged 25-34. The government did not explain the causes behind the surge, which it said had set back government attempts to hit global targets set by a United Nations campaign to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Under Philippine law, the president can declare a health emergency if an epidemic poses a threat to national security. The start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 was the last time that was done. Just 55 percent of those living with HIV in the Philippines have been diagnosed, the health department said, while only 66 percent of those diagnosed are on life-saving antiretroviral therapy. Sexual contact remains the predominant mode of transmission, with the bulk of cases since 2007 attributed to men having sex with men. HIV cases have been on the rise in the Philippines since 2021, with 252,800 people estimated to be living with HIV in the country by the end of this year.
