HIV & AIDS in the Philippines
Sustained and effective national and local responses are at the core of priority interventions in the light of increasing trend in new HIV infections in the Philippines. Since the first case was reported in 1984, the number of cases has increased tremendously with 3,911 HIV cases recorded from 1984 to May 2009, of which 85 new infections were registered in May 2009. The low prevalence situation has seemingly shifted to a ‘hidden and growing’ epidemic which calls for a multi-sectoral and broad-based approach to mitigate the negative impact of HIV and on human development in a sustained manner.
Most at risk populations such as female sex workers and their male clients, males who have sex with males, and injecting drug users and the vulnerable populations such as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), out-of-school youth, and street children are placed at a higher risk situation and therefore require comprehensive and targeted prevention programmes. Empowerment of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and facilitating their meaningful involvement in all stages of the response will help in reducing stigma and discrimination as well as promoting their rights at the institutional and community levels.
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