Come 2009, the AIDS registry for the first time reported almost 1,000 new infections in a year, with majority of the transmission via unprotected male-to-male sex. A stark contrast to the 20 years previous to this, with which almost all of the infections were heterosexual transmission.
Within the government and among experts, one main answer was given. We were seeing more cases because we expanded the testing sites and we were testing more Filipinos.
We had at that point, 3 valuable grants from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. On the government table was Round 3 grant at P585 million ($13 million), Round 5 at P225 million ($5 million), and the largest Round 6 at P810 million ($18 million) from 2004 to 2012 amounting to almost P225 million ($5m -$8 m) a year comprising up to 80% of total AIDS investments in the country. These grants provided valuable prevention commodities and capacities in more than 30 cities around the country – providing valuable learnings in the areas of peer education, social hygiene clinic management, AIDS awareness campaigns especially during International AIDS Candlelight and World AIDS Day.
But epidemiologists and demographers wanted more answers. Yes, we have expanded testing, but is the epidemic really here?
Aside from the passive reports of confirmed HIV positives to the AIDS registry from the HIV testing centers and hospitals around the country, we also looked at different other data sources.
Indeed, the surveys among sample key population in around 10 cities in the country were telling us the same thing, the HIV epidemic is growing. New cases were increasing and majority were among males who have sex with other males.
In the Metro Manila cities where the survey were routinely done every 2 years under the DOH’s Integrated Behavioral and Serologic Surveillance (IHBSS), for the first time has reached beyond 1% prevalence among gay men and other men who have sex with men. One city had 1% HIV prevalence among MSM that jumped to 4% in 2011 to 7% by 2013. This was the case in the other cities. In Cebu, HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs went above 50% by 2010. By 2015, new cities not in the higher prevalence radar prior to 2011, were reported to have at least 5% HIV prevalence among MSM.
Fortunately, enrolment to ARV went to all time high by end of 2015 with more than 12,000 Filipinos taking the daily pill, all provided for free.
Deaths, while underreported as in the case of many death registries of the world, were reported at all-time high in 2015. WE had 461 total deaths by end of last year. A sad realization that 1 Filipino dies everyday due to AIDS.
HIV has finally arrived our shores.
The virus successfully penetrated the circuits of our vulnerable population. It has, unfortunately, entered the sexual network of our mostly hidden group of population.
NEXT - We will bounce back
READ THE SECTIONS ONLY
HIV Around me | AIDS Work | Did we forsesee this? | Where did we fail? | The legendary AIDS Law | No Cases. Where did it go? | Confused | Wildfire | We will bounce back | Papang, thank you, I know my HIV status
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