‘KNOW YOUR STATUS’: Half of Iloilo’s HIV cases undiagnosed – PHO

ILOILO — More than half of Iloilo’s residents living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remain undiagnosed and health officials warn this is fueling the province’s fast-growing health concern.

Provincial Health Office (PHO) chief Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon sounded the alarm as she revealed that of the estimated 4,300 individuals with HIV in Iloilo, only 45 percent know their status.

“We are not just discussing statistics today; we are talking about lives, dreams, and futures,” she stressed during a September 19 online orientation on sexual and reproductive health for provincial capitol employees.

From only three new cases reported in 2005, Iloilo recorded 296 new infections in 2024 alone.

“This rapid rise should not only shake us but also awaken us to the reality that HIV is a pressing issue that we must confront now,” Quiñon warned.

HIV attacks the body’s immune system, weakening its ability to fight infections and diseases. It is most commonly transmitted through unprotected sex, sharing of contaminated needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

While incurable, HIV can be managed with lifelong antiretroviral treatment, allowing patients to live normal lives.

Preventive measures include consistent condom use, access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and regular testing.

The Provincial Government, through the PHO and in partnership with the International Center for AIDS Care (ICAP), is pushing intensified education and prevention measures — including free condoms and lubricants, access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) stations, and confidential HIV counseling and screening services at the PHO Primary Care Clinic and other facilities.

To expand treatment, Iloilo recently opened the iHeart Center in Cabatuan town as a new HIV hub.

“This is expanding access to vital care and sending a powerful message of compassion, dignity, and hope to our communities,” Quiñon said.

She added that confronting HIV must go beyond medicine.

“We cannot view HIV merely as a medical issue. This is a call for solidarity,” she urged, calling on Ilonggos to reject stigma, embrace testing, and support those undergoing treatment.

“Let us envision a future where Iloilo no longer tracks an increase in HIV cases, but instead, celebrates rising survivors,” Quiñon said.

Just last week, the province unveiled a new treatment facility designed to expand access to testing, care, and support services for people living with HIV.

The Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital (RTMDH) in Cabatuan town formally launched the “I HEART Clinic” (Integrated HIV Engagement Activities) on September 16, making it the newest HIV treatment hub in the province.

The initiative was born out of concern over the surge of HIV infections.

Dr. Francisco Ronnel Quiñon, RTMDH chief of hospital, said “the I HEART Clinic aims to expand access to essential HIV services, raise awareness within the community, and empower individuals to lead healthier lives.”

He warned, however, that the province still faces major gaps: only 45 percent of those estimated to have HIV know their status, and just 58 percent of those are virally suppressed.

“This rapid rise should shake us. HIV is not a distant problem. It is here now, and it is growing,” Quiñon said. “Every test taken, every treatment started, every life supported brings us closer to an Iloilo where HIV no longer spreads in silence.”/PN