3 Filipinos get HIV everyday!

According to data by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Philippines has seen an “alarming” increase in HIV cases in the past year, especially among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and men who have sex with men (MSM).

“Last May, the country had 85 reported cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the highest ever in the country. That’s like 3 people a day, more cases than the A (H1N1) virus,” said Danton Remoto, UNDP Communications officer, at the country’s 1st National Conference on MSM, transgender, and HIV last July 22. 

All HIV cases were transmitted through sexual contact, with 36% of cases transmitted through homosexual contact and 89% of cases caused by unprotected sex. 

HIV patients are also getting younger and younger, with more HIV cases coming from the 20 to 24 age group (29% of total cases this year).