Health is always the main priority of the government in order to develop and improve the quality of healthcare facilities in our country and to make them accessible to each Filipino. However, there are only limited services given to those patients living with HIV and AIDS. How can we cure and prevent these viruses if there is a lack of support from the government in making this a major health concern?

The Department of Health (2025) reports that there are 215,400 HIV-positive individuals and that there are 55 new cases every day. Furthermore, the majority of those afflicted by these viruses are between the ages of 15 and 34. Despite the sharp rise in the number of people affected by these viruses, our nation continues to lag behind in providing HIV and AIDS services to patients in basic healthcare facilities.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, most commonly known as HIV, is a virus that is solely spread among humans and specifically affects the immune system. As a result, the immune system is unable to operate as effectively as it should. Immune systems are capable of completely removing numerous viruses from our bodies, but this does not apply to HIV. Additionally, HIV may be transmitted from one person to another when specific bodily fluids are shared between them. Fluids in the body that can transmit HIV include blood, semen (“cum”), pre-seminal fluid (“pre-cum”), vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk.

Meanwhile, AIDS, also known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a condition referred to as stage 3 HIV that develops when HIV has severely damaged the immune system. Meaning, contracting HIV can lead to the advancement of AIDS.

Last May 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) planned that providing services for HIV and AIDS patients will be put on mainstream or include this type of service in primary healthcare assistance, such as HIV and AIDS screening and treatment. On the other hand, there were no implementations that were provided up until this day.

By signing this petition, we are united to step forward progressively as we are being heard by the government officials through our petition to provide support and assistance to those persons living with HIV and AIDS to different healthcare facilities as this is being promoted to a primary healthcare service. Together, we will prevent and eradicate this major health issue.