Beyond Medicine: Experts Advocate for Holistic HIV Response in the Philippines

A virus that quietly weakens the body’s defenses is now preventable and manageable through modern medicine, yet its steady rise in the Philippines has sparked renewed alarm among health experts. The Department of Health reports that an average of 61 Filipinos are diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) daily. This alarming rate could lead to a projection of nearly 400,000 cases by 2030 if the spread remains unchecked. In commemoration of World AIDS Day, the 17th Carmen G. Kanapi Lecture on Dec. 5 examined the country’s escalating HIV situation and highlighted science-based, community-led strategies to strengthen prevention, testing, and care. HIV is spread through specific bodily fluids, most commonly through unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing of needles, and from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Once inside the body, the virus attacks the immune system, particularly the cells that help fight infections, gradually weakening the body’s ability to defend itself. If left untreated, HIV can progress to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of the infection. At this point, the immune system becomes severely compromised, making even common infections potentially life-threatening. “No one dies because of HIV. They die because of the complications dahil sa pagpasok ng HIV sa ating katawan,” said Danvic Rosadiño, head of innovations for the HIV advocacy group LoveYourself, during his talk. Rosadiño said early diagnosis and consistent treatment through antiretroviral therapy (ART) can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, allowing people living with HIV to remain healthy and preventing further transmission. Rising case numbers, he added, also reflect broader access to testing and increased awareness. “We want everyone to go for HIV testing, because it’s the only way you can find out your status,” he said. “Whether you’re positive or negative, there are services for you para matulungan ka namin.” Psychosocial gaps UST alumnus Ronald Bugarin, chair of LoveYourself Community Advisory Board, said HIV requires equal attention to biomedical care and psychosocial support. Biomedical interventions include testing, ART, and preventive measures such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Psychosocial support, on the other hand, focuses on self-worth, sustainability, and empowerment — areas Bugarin said were often neglected. “[What] we really need is a holistic approach to HIV care. [We need] to make sure that whatever are the sciences behind the cure or prevention of HIV, it really addresses the concerns of the community, and at the same time, psychosocial support is in place.” Data from the HIV and AIDS Surveillance of the Philippines showed that individuals aged 15 to 24 and 25 to 34 accounted for 31% and 47% of new cases. “These kinds of fear, these kinds of judgment have a very big effect, especially for those who get diagnosed with HIV,” he added. Expanding access through self-testing To reach those hesitant to visit clinics, LoveYourself offers both facility-based and remote options, including SelfCare, an HIV self-screening kit delivered directly to users’ homes. Rosadiño said some 3,000 kits were distributed, with 45% of users identified as first-time testers. “If we offer multiple options for clients to access HIV testing services, they will select the [options] that work for them,” he said. He emphasized that HIV education must move away from moral judgment and toward personalized, non-directive care. “We tend to highlight the dangers and risk of sexually risky behavior, but we don’t address the risk why people are having sex in the first place.” Rosadiño also flagged gaps in health-care workers’ familiarity with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a preventive medication for HIV-negative individuals. “The challenge is not only giving people access to PrEP but understanding why they need it. Training and capacity-building for healthcare workers are key, especially as new PrEP options emerge and many regions still don’t have it,” he said. Anchoring advocacy in research To sustain student engagement beyond World AIDS Day, the Department of Biological Sciences plans to anchor initiatives in research, using scientific evidence to inform policy and public health responses. Asst. Prof. Reuel Benett, chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, said discussions on HIV remain unrestricted within academic settings. “We respect Catholic teachings, so we try to balance those boundaries. But we’ve never received any notice or memo from the University telling us not to discuss topics like HIV,” Bennett told the Varsitarian. That approach, he said, helps dismantle stigma by normalizing conversations around HIV in an academic context.