HARP: 12.37% increase in HIV cases

Around 1,072 new HIV cases in the Philippines were recorded in October this year, an increase of 12.37% compared to only 954 cases in September, according to the latest report by the HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP).

From the total cases reported, 208 were already with advanced infection. Majority of the recorded statistics were males—-1,016 cases—-while only 56 were females.

Out of these new cases, National Capital Region (NCR) was the highest with 343 followed by Region IV-A 187 cases, Region III 121, Region VII 82, and Region VI 76.

The average number of people newly diagnosed with HIV per day this year is 32 compared to only 22 in 2015.

Furthermore, the report added that there were already 488 deaths in January to October alone totaling to 2,946 since January 1984.

Since 1984, there have been confirmed 60,207 cases reported to the HARP.

Majority of the modes of transmission was due to sexual contact among MSM or male to male sexual contact, followed by male to female sex and sharing of needles.

In MIMAROPA, there are three treatment hubs. They provide outpatient and inpatient care and treatment to patients who are HIV positive and have advanced infections: Ospital ng Palawan in Puerto Princesa City (048) 434-6864 or (048) 434-2148, Occidental Mindoro Provincial Hospital (ARUGA) (043) 711-1116, and Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital (Purple Rain Clinic) 0916-469-1469.