HIV Situation in the Philippines from January to March 2024By March 2024, an estimated 215,400 people in the Philippines are living with HIV. Out of this number, 57% (or 122,241 people) have been diagnosed and confirmed to have HIV. Among those diagnosed, 65% (79,643 people) are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), a treatment that helps control the virus and improve health. However, only 39% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression, which means the virus in their blood is very low and almost impossible to transmit to others.
While the number of people receiving HIV treatment is growing, many are still not getting the full benefits due to gaps in testing and treatment follow-up. Viral load testing, which checks if the treatment is working, is still low nationwide. Only 47% of those eligible for testing were tested in the last year, and even fewer have consistent access to care.
From January to March 2024, 3,409 new HIV cases were reported in the country, which is an average of 37 new cases daily. This is a 30% drop from the same time last year. Most of the new cases (94%) are in males, with the largest age group being 25-34 years old. This shows that HIV continues to affect younger Filipinos, particularly men who have sex with men and other vulnerable populations.
New HIV cases are mostly concentrated in Metro Manila and nearby regions such as CALABARZON and Central Luzon, which together account for 66% of the total new cases. These areas also have more facilities and programs, but other regions still face challenges with limited resources and services.
The use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a medicine to prevent HIV, is increasing. In the first quarter of 2024, 4,325 people enrolled in PrEP, a 13% increase from last year. Most enrollees are young people aged 18-34. However, awareness and access to prevention tools still need to improve, especially in rural areas.
Despite progress, challenges remain. Many people living with HIV are not yet diagnosed or on treatment. Even among those on ART, retention in care and regular follow-ups are low, meaning some stop taking their medicines or miss appointments. Testing kits for confirmation are also in short supply in some areas, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
This summary paints a clearer picture of where the Philippines stands in its fight against HIV and highlights the importance of continued awareness, testing, and support for treatment access.
By June 2024, an estimated 215,400 people in the Philippines are living with HIV. Out of this number, 59% (127,217 people) have been diagnosed, and 66% of those diagnosed (84,086 people) are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, only 39% of people on ART have achieved viral suppression, which means their HIV levels are very low, keeping them healthy and preventing transmission.
From April to June 2024, 5,321 new HIV cases were reported, bringing the total reported cases since 1984 to 135,076. On average, 58 new cases were reported daily during this period. Most of the new cases (94%) were in males, primarily affecting individuals aged 25-34. About 28% of these cases were diagnosed with advanced HIV at the time of testing, showing the importance of earlier detection and treatment.
The majority of new cases were reported in Metro Manila, CALABARZON, and Central Luzon, which together accounted for 72% of all new diagnoses. Other regions showed smaller numbers, highlighting disparities in HIV prevalence and access to testing and treatment services.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication to prevent HIV, saw an increase in enrollment. In Q2 2024, 6,283 people started PrEP, a 46% rise from the same period in 2023. Most enrollees were males aged 18-34, and the majority accessed PrEP through facilities in Metro Manila and nearby regions. However, challenges remain in reaching more people in other parts of the country.
By June 2024, 84,086 people were on ART. Among them, 47% underwent viral load testing in the past year, with 88% achieving viral suppression. However, viral load testing coverage remains below 50%, with some regions lagging behind. This highlights the need for improved testing access and follow-up care.
While the Philippines has made progress in HIV prevention and treatment, challenges remain. Many people are still undiagnosed or not in care. Retention on ART is an issue, with 21% of individuals who started treatment no longer receiving it. Testing kits for confirmatory diagnoses and viral load tests are still limited in some areas.
This summary underscores the importance of scaling up awareness, testing, and treatment to control the HIV epidemic in the Philippines.
By September 2024, an estimated 215,400 people in the Philippines were living with HIV. Of this number, 61% (131,335 individuals) have been diagnosed, and 67% of those diagnosed (88,544 individuals) are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, only 39% of individuals on ART achieved viral suppression, which is crucial for staying healthy and reducing transmission.
Between July and September 2024, 4,595 new HIV cases were reported, averaging 50 cases daily. Most of these cases (95%) were male, with the largest age group being 25-34 years old. Alarmingly, 28% of the new cases were diagnosed at an advanced stage of HIV, highlighting the importance of earlier testing.
Regions with the highest number of new HIV cases included Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, and Central Visayas, accounting for 72% of all new diagnoses during this period.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) enrollment continued to grow. In Q3 2024, 6,009 individuals started PrEP, a 39% increase from the same period last year. Most enrollees were males aged 18-34, and over half accessed services in Metro Manila.
By September 2024, 88,544 individuals were on ART, with a median age of 32 years. Viral load testing coverage remained low, with only 46% of those on ART getting tested in the past year. Of those tested, 88% achieved viral suppression, indicating effective treatment.
While there has been progress, challenges remain. Many PLHIV are undiagnosed, and treatment retention rates are low, with 20% of individuals on ART no longer in care. Testing and treatment access in rural areas remain limited, requiring stronger interventions.
This report highlights the urgent need for more awareness, prevention, and access to services to address the HIV epidemic in the Philippines effectively.
Privacy Disclaimer: To protect their privacy, Dianne and Jess are using pseudonyms, but their experiences are real. Every detail shared is accurate and based on real-life events. We respect the...
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