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Philippines Okays PrEP Trial In Face Of "Terrifying" Rise In HIV Rates

The number of new HIV infections in the Philippines has skyrockets more than 140% in the past seven years.

The Philippines health ministry has approved a two-year PrEP trial for gay men and trans women, just a few months after reports of new infections reaching "terrifying" levels.

Dondi Tawatao/Getty

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - JUNE 27: Filipino LGBT participants march in Luneta park during the Pride March on June 27, 2015 in Manila, Philippines. Generally tolerated in a predominantly Catholic country, Manila enjoys a vibrant LGBT movement with anti discrimination ordnances being enacted in every city, but a lot still has to be done as an Anti Discrimination Bill has yet to be passed in the Lower House of the Philippine Congress. The Manila Pride March is Asia's longest running LGBT event now on its 21st year. (Photo by Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images)

The Philippines has one of the lowest rates of infection globally, but one of the fastest growing—diagnoses jumped more than 25% from 2001 to 2009 and more than doubled between 2010 and 2016. In May 2017 alone, more than 1,000 new cases of HIV were recorded.

Experts believe by 2022, that some 19,300 Filipinos will be HIV-positive, two-thirds them young men who have sex with men.

“This is the first time PrEP is being offered in the Philippines, this is very exciting,” LGBT activist Danvic Rosadino told Reuters. ‘With the continued rise in new HIV cases, this is really timely and relevant. All interventions regarding HIV preventions should be made available in the Philippines.”

According to health ministry spokesperson Genesis Samonte, while the Philippines has addressed the issue of HIV—the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), was created in 1992—not enough has been done to target men who have sex with men.

"We're not talking about those that are openly gay," she told reporters. "Any male who has sex with another male for whatever reason, is at risk."

Dondi Tawatao/Getty

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - JUNE 27: Filipino LGBT participants march in Luneta park during the Pride March on June 27, 2015 in Manila, Philippines. Generally tolerated in a predominantly Catholic country, Manila enjoys a vibrant LGBT movement with anti discrimination ordnances being enacted in every city, but a lot still has to be done as an Anti Discrimination Bill has yet to be passed in the Lower House of the Philippine Congress. The Manila Pride March is Asia's longest running LGBT event now on its 21st year. (Photo by Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images)

According to UN AIDS, two-thirds of HIV infections in the Philippines were in men ages 15 to 24. Typically they report having their first sexual encounter at 16 but only first getting tested eight years later.

“We can’t control the rapid rise of HIV infection,” warned Dr. Rossana Ditangco of the health department’s AIDS Research Group. She called the HIV crisis “a national emergency.” Only 200 people will be accepted into the preliminary trials, though more than 600 have already applied.

In its own report, Human Rights Watch encouraged the government to implement inclusive safer-sex education, improve access to condoms, and work to remove stigma and discrimination against people with HIV.

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