Overview
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has affected millions of individuals globally including the Philippines. Since the first HIV case in the Philippines in 1984, and as this is the third decade of the HIV prevalence in the country, it remained to be described as “low and slow”. This means that prevalence rate in the adult population is still less than one percent (1%). However, the Philippine National AIDS Council speaks of a “hidden and growing” HIV epidemic in the country, as evidence by the increasing number of HIV infection cases each month and the high prevalence rate of sexually transmitted infections, low condom use, a relatively young sexually active population, and the prevalence of misconception on HIV and AIDS (HIV and AIDS Country Profile, Philippines 2005).
The Department of Health- National Epidemiology Center (NEC) has documented passively cases using the HIV/ AIDS Registry. Based on the Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry, from January 1984 to December 2008, a total of 3,589 HIV were infected. In 2008 alone, 528 HIV new cases were added, and the number of infection cases doubled within a span of four years as compared to the infection documented in 2004. To date, sexual mode is still the number one mode of HIV transmission. However, based on the registry, the heterosexual mode of transmission is now shifting to homosexual mode, and this is alarming. With the availability of antiretroviral drugs funded by the Global Funds, less AIDS cases (20 cases) were documented as compared to the AIDS cases in 2007 (28 cases). More HIV positives are now maintaining still their asymptomatic status and enjoying a better quality of life.
In the case of the Filipino youth, misconceptions on HIV and AIDS are still prevailing. Twenty-seven percent of young people believed that AIDS can be cured and 73 percent believed that they will not get HIV. These findings were also consistent with the results of the baseline study conducted by of UNFPA in 2006, where HIV misconceptions focusing on the modes of transmission and presence of cure for HIV and AIDS were included. These myths and misconceptions will place young people in a high risk situation.
Consistent with the principles of 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), MDGs and the UN’s rights-based approach, three evidence-based approaches to maternal and neonatal mortality reduction have been recommended by the UN agencies (i.e. WHO, UNICEF and the UNFPA) in a continuum of care to address or avoid the delays in service delivery:
- All women must have access to reproductive health services, including contraception to determine the number and spacing of their children.
- Antenatal care, intra-partum and post partum care must be attended by skilled health professional with timely access to quality emergency obstetric and newborn care, when needed.
- All mothers and newborns must benefit from postpartum visits.
It is very timely indeed that in 2008, the Department of Health (DOH) issued Administrative Order 2009-28 to accelerate efforts of a flagship program under Fourmula-One (F1) on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN). The strategy conforms with international and regional guidelines and standards on reducing maternal and newborn deaths, focusing on the three-pronged approach and a strong support system.
Reducing maternal mortality is one target under the Millennium Development Goal 5. Under this goal, the target is to reduce the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by three-quarters (or 52 deaths per 100,000 livebirths) by 2015. As of 2006, MMR in the Philippines was recorded at 162, only a 22% reduction, therefore it will be unlikely that the country will be able to achieve the target. The challenge however to reduce the MMR as much as possible before 2015 still remains and is the priority of UN and the Philippine Government.
Equally important in the improvement of maternal and women’s health is the attainment of target 5b: universal access to reproductive health. There is a need to address the unmet need for family planning, improve the access and utilization of modern methods of contraception, reduce teenage pregnancies, and ensure quality of antenatal and post-partum care services.










