HIV/AIDS cases starting to plateau — DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded a relatively slight increase in the number of HIV/AIDS cases in the past two years.

According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, fewer new cases of HIV/AIDS are being documented.

But he underscored the need to intensify information awareness campaign to sustain this.

“It has reached a plateau. We intend to sustain this by strengthening more on the prevention side,” Duque said.

Data from the DOH Epidemiology Bureau showed there were 11,427 new HIV/AIDS cases recorded last year.

In 2017, the DOH said 11,101 people were infected by the disease, representing an increase of only 326 cases.

Duque attributed the minimal increase in HIV/AIDS cases in 2018 to the information and education efforts of the DOH on how to prevent contracting the virus.

“Testing has become part of people’s activities. They are now the ones who take the initiative to be tested for HIV,” he said.

The HIV/AIDS Registry documented a total of 9,238 cases in 2016; 7,809 in 2015; 5,978 in 2014; 4,804 in 2013; 3,326 in 2012, and 2,344 cases in 2011.

The DOH has recorded a total of 62,029 HIV/AIDS since January 1984.

To curb the epidemic, the DOH had launched the “test and treat” program, which releases results within minutes.

Duque noted that in the past, it would take days before the results come out.

He said those who tested positive for HIV/AIDS are immediately referred to counselling and treatment.