HIV cases in the Philippines have jumped by a staggering 500 percent, prompting the Department of Health (DOH) to call for the declaration of a national public health emergency.
In a statement on Tuesday, the DOH said the country now records an average of 57 confirmed HIV cases per day from January to March 2025—the highest daily average in the Western Pacific Region.
“The DOH is proposing to declare HIV a National Public Health Emergency due to the 500 percent increase in HIV cases in the country,” the agency said.
The health department also reminded the public that HIV testing is free and confidential.
To help prevent the spread of the virus, the DOH recommended using condoms, lubricants, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), along with other protective measures.
