The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said 55 new cases of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are being reported daily.
DOH chief Teodoro Herbosa, in an interview, expressed concerns over the growing number of daily HIV cases.
“Our new cases are high, at 55 new cases a day, we have the highest in the world. That’s why we need to stop,” Herbosa said.
Herbosa pointed out that the majority of the new HIV cases in the country were younger individuals, who are said to be more “experimental” and more exposed to the internet.
“The ones that are being diagnosed are as young as 15 years, and positive for HIV,” Herbosa.
Herbosa, moreover, stressed that the DOH is coordinating with the Department of Education to educate the youth about HIV.
Herbosa also stated that DOH is considering a program that would allow minors with HIV to receive treatment with the consent of a doctor or guardian,
Currently, antiretroviral treatment (ARV) for HIV is provided exclusively by the government and requires parental consent.
“I am thinking we could have a program where doctors or guardians can authorize ARVs,” Herbosa said. “Our ARVs are only available through the government, via PhilHealth. You can’t buy them in the private sector.”