Philippines Considers HIV National Emergency, Launches New Appointment System

The Philippines is grappling with a rising HIV crisis, prompting the Department of Health (DOH) to consider declaring it a national public health emergency. To alleviate the burden on patients, the DOH recently launched a new online appointment system for HIV medication and consultations at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. "This system will significantly reduce wait times," stated DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa, in a press conference shown in the GMA News report. Previously, patients often queued from as early as 4 AM. The video also highlighted a tragic event: the death of a 56-year-old man from rabies, the sixth such fatality this year at San Lazaro Hospital. This underscores the need for improved public health measures across various health concerns. The initiative to improve access to HIV care, coupled with ongoing efforts to address other health challenges, shows the DOH's commitment to improving the well-being of Filipinos.