Alarm raised over rising HIV cases in Phl

The National Youth Commission (NYC) has expressed alarm over the worsening situation of HIV/AIDS infection in the country, noting the increase in the number of young Filipinos contracting the deadly virus.

“What we have been doing is not working, as evidenced by the spike in infections. We have to be bolder and more creative in our response. We have to empower young people to embrace health-seeking behavior,” NYC commissioner Perci Cendaña said. “Young Filipinos are very vulnerable. We have to get our act together and act together.”

The NYC cited a recent report released by the United Nations Program on HIV/ AIDS (UNAIDS) which showed the Philippines having the highest increase of new human immunodeficiency virus incidences in the past six years.

The report revealed that while the annual number of new HIV infections in Asia and the Pacific declined by 13 percent from 2010 to 2016, there was a 141-percent increase in the Philippines over the same period.

“The face of the HIV epidemic in the country has changed in the last five years. A young person is now the face of the epidemic. Data show that more than half of new infections are among young people 15 to 24 years old,” Cendaña said.

Cendaña, who heads the NYC committee on social inclusion and equity, has proposed intensive sexuality education among the youth to inform them of the threats posed by the virus.

“We have to give young people access to protection. Education and consciousness-raising will not be effective without access to condoms. We have to overcome bias and prejudice and focus on the solution,” the NYC official said. “Interventions will only be effective in (a) climate free from stigma and discrimination.”