By: Tina G. Santos, Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 10, 2017
MANILA — March was a record month for reported new cases of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with 968, the highest number recorded in a month since 1984, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.
Based on the HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines, the latest figure was 32 percent higher compared to 735 recorded cases in the same period in 2016.
This meant that an average of 30 cases were being reported everyday in March.
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, the body’s natural defense system. Over time it leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Of the 968 new cases, 108 had developed into full-blown AIDS.
There were 27 deaths from HIV/AIDS in March.
The regions with the highest number of cases reported in March were the National Capital Region with 309 cases (32 percent); Calabarzon, 135 cases (14 percent); Central Luzon, with 107 (11 percent); Central Visayas, 76 cases (8 percent); and Davao region, 52 cases (5 percent).
Sexual contact remains to be the main mode of transmission with 942, most of which are from the male-having-sex-with-male (MSM) population with 820.
Homosexual contact had the highest number with 560, followed by the bisexual contact with 260, while heterosexual contact led to 122 cases.
Injecting drug use accounted for 22 new cases, while the remaining four cases involved mother-to-child transmission.
A total of 59 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were also found to have acquired HIV/AIDS, all of whom were infected through sexual contact.
The latest figures brought to 2,661 the total number of HIV cases reported in the country from January to March this year, which included 292 AIDS cases, and 155 deaths.
Since 1984, a total of 42,283 HIV cases, including 3,957 AIDS cases, and 2,124 deaths, have been recorded in the Philippines. SFM
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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