By Ma. Teresa Montemayor | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Health (DOH) has proposed declaring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) a national public health emergency amid the five hundred percent increase in the number of cases among the country’s youth.
In a video message on Tuesday, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the significant increase was recorded among individuals aged 15 to 25 years.
“In fact, ang pinakabatang na-diagnose natin ay dose anyos po sa probinsya ng Palawan,” he said in a video message.
Though he did not mention specific numbers regarding HIV infection among the youth in his video message, Herbosa said the Philippines now has the highest number of new HIV cases in the Western Pacific Region.
The latest HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report showed that there are 148,831 HIV cases recorded nationwide from 1984 to March 2025.
A total of 5,101 cases were logged during the first quarter of this year, higher than the 3,409 recorded during the same period in 2024.
Meanwhile, an average of 57 HIV cases were reported daily, also higher than the 37 recorded during the same period last year.
“Kapag hindi natin napigilan ang pagdami ng HIV, aabot tayo sa lagpas 400,000 people living with HIV (PLHIV),” Herbosa said.
The DOH chief said a national public health emergency declaration would require a Whole-of-Government approach in addressing the problem.
“A Whole-of-Government [approach] can help us in this campaign na mapababa ang new cases of HIV,” Herbosa said.
Based on DOH data, sexual contact remains the predominant mode of HIV transmission, but has shifted to largely being among males having sex with males since 2007.
To avoid the infection, the DOH advises the practice of the combination prevention method, or the use of condom and lubricants during sex and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Concerned individuals are also advised to take the free and confidential HIV test offered by the government.
Those who tested positive are urged to consult a physician for appropriate antiretroviral (ARV) therapy.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is offering an enhanced Outpatient HIV Treatment Package for individuals living with HIV/AIDS with an annual benefit of P58,500, including anti-retroviral therapy for those with confirmed positive HIV test results.
To secure international support and resources, Herbosa remains a member of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Board.
