HIV response in the Philippines hit hard by COVID-19

UNAIDS released a report with the latest HIV data and trends showing 1.5 million new infections within the last year, 40 years after the first reported cases of HIV.

There were 37.6 million people globally living with HIV in 2020, UNAIDS said,

A record 27.4 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy, but 690,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2020, according to UNAIDS.

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed faults in health care systems globally, especially when dealing with HIV and AIDS.

In the Philippines, the HIV response efforts have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNTV footage showed HIV medicine being sent by post due to lockdown restrictions. One young man said he was able register for an HIV self-test kit online.

Government figures show 2020 HIV testing decreased by 61% compared to the year before. Enrollment in HIV care also reduced by 28%.

The Philippines has the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in Asia and the Pacific, with infections jumping by 207% in the last ten years.

Almost 50% of new HIV infections are among men who are between the age of 15–24, according to UNAIDS.

Risky behavior among men having sex with men starts early (age 12) while protected sex begins late (age 19), according to the Philippines Health department.

The Philippines in 2018 amended its national AIDS Law in an effort to reduce rising HIV infections in young people, reducing the age of consent without parental consent for an HIV test from age 18 to 15.

In spite of the law's change, efforts at ramping up prevention services, condom promotion and testing innovations remain at a slow pace.

More than half of people living with HIV in the Philippines are not on antiretroviral treatment, according to UNAIDS.

(Image Credit: AP)