ILOILO – This province leads Western Visayas in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases, with 1,990 reported infections and 249 deaths recorded from 1986 to September 2024, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed.
“Of these, 249 deaths were reported, either directly caused by HIV or related complications,” said Dr. Rodney Labis, chief of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) – Health Service Delivery Division.
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the body fight infections.
If left untreated, HIV can weaken the immune system to the point where it develops into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a more severe condition where the body becomes vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain cancers.
HIV is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, sharing of needles, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
HIV/AIDS is often referred to as a “silent epidemic”. In its early stages, HIV infection may not show noticeable symptoms, allowing the virus to progress silently in individuals who are unaware of their status.
This lack of symptoms can delay testing, diagnosis, and treatment, enabling further spread.
Rising Cases in Key Municipalities
The municipalities with the highest number of cases are Oton, Pavia, Pototan, Janiuay, and Santa Barbara.
From January to September 2024 alone, the province recorded 223 new cases, with Pavia, Santa Barbara, Barotac Nuevo, Calinog, Oton, and Pototan identified as hotspots.
Dr. Labis attributed the increasing numbers to the province’s strengthened HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs in partnership with the DOH and development agencies.
Affected Demographics
The most affected age group is 25 to 34 years old, comprising 49% of cases, followed by 15 to 24 years old (31%) and 35 to 49 years old (17%).
Notably, 96% of reported cases involve males, with 61% attributed to male-to-male sexual contact.
Intensified Awareness and Services
In response to the rising trend, the Iloilo Provincial Government (IPG) has bolstered its community awareness campaigns and improved access to HIV counseling, prevention, screening, and treatment services through Rural Health Units (RHUs) and hospitals.
The IPHO conducts community-based training and screening in barangays, workplaces, and other facilities.
These efforts aim to increase the diagnosis rate, aligning with the global “95-95-95” HIV elimination target, which seeks to ensure 95% of cases are diagnosed, 95% of diagnosed individuals receive treatment, and 95% achieve viral suppression.
Currently, Iloilo has diagnosed only 46% of estimated cases, leaving about 2,000 individuals unaware of their HIV status.
“If undiagnosed, HIV could weaken the immune system, progressing to AIDS, where opportunistic infections become fatal,” Labis explained.
Expanded Facilities and Partnerships
All RHUs in the province offer free and voluntary HIV counseling and screening services. Additionally, three DOH-certified HIV Primary Care Clinics in Calinog, Janiuay, and Concepcion towns provide antiretroviral drugs for treatment.
District hospitals in Guimbal, Pototan, and Balasan serve as HIV hubs.
Through a partnership with the American International Health Alliance, the IPHO established Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) stations in Calinog, Janiuay, Oton, and Concepcion. PrEP is a preventive medication for high-risk individuals, such as those engaging in unprotected sex or partners of people living with HIV.
World AIDS Day Commemoration
On December 4, the IPHO, in collaboration with the Concepcion local government unit (LGU), commemorated World AIDS Day with the theme, “Take the Rights Path.” The event gathered students, teachers, barangay officials, and stakeholders to promote an inclusive approach to combating HIV/AIDS.
The LGU-Concepcion, led by Mayor Millar Villanueva, also launched a DOH-certified CARE Clinic for HIV/AIDS services, catering to residents of Concepcion and nearby towns seeking HIV treatment and counseling.
The province reaffirms its commitment to ending the HIV epidemic by empowering individuals with access to accurate information, preventive tools, and quality healthcare services, especially for marginalized and vulnerable sectors./PN
