THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday pushed for the declaration of a public health emergency for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of a surge in cases.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the emergency declaration will ensure massive response to control the spread of HIV.
“It is better to declare a public health emergency for HIV so that everyone will help in the efforts,” Herbosa said in a social media post.
The most recent declaration of a public health emergency was in March 2020, by then-President Rodrigo Duterte, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It was lifted in July 2023 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Data provided by the DOH showed 5,101 new HIV cases recorded nationwide between January and March 2025.
This is higher than the 3,409 new HIV cases recorded from during the same period in 2024.
On a daily basis, the health department said, 57 new HIV cases were being reported in the first quarter of the year. Only 37 new HIV cases were reported daily from January to March 2024.
Herbosa said the number of current HIV cases in the Philippines is the highest in the Western Pacific Region.
He also said there is a 500 percent increase in HIV cases for the age group 15 to 25 years.
“In fact, the youngest we have diagnosed is 12 years old from Palawan,” he said.
Herbosa said there is a need for the country to see an increase in HIV testing.
“We already have self-test kits for HIV that are available in drugstores. Later on, we can just do confirmatory tests,” he said.
He said it is also necessary to give antiretroviral treatment to more people with HIV.
“HIV can already be treated. No one has to die due to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome),” said Herbosa.
