Half of estimated HIV cases remain completely undiagnosed

National

A DEEPLY concerning gap in public health screening has emerged in the Philippines, where nearly half of the estimated 288,000 people living with HIV remain completely undiagnosed.

This lack of early detection has led to an alarming trend: out of the 4,633 newly reported HIV cases recorded by the Department of Health (DOH) in the first quarter of this year, nearly a quarter, or 24 percent, already had advanced HIV at the time of their diagnosis.

While the 4,633 new infections represent a nine percent increase compared to the same quarter last year, other daily and monthly metrics saw a slight dip. The daily average for the quarter stood at 51 cases per day, an 11 percent decrease from the 57 cases per day logged during the same period in 2025. Similarly, the monthly average of 1,544 cases marked a nine percent drop from last year's monthly average of 1,693.

The newly confirmed cases also reveal distinct disparities across different demographics and regions. Out of the total infections, the vast majority were men, accounting for 4,381 cases, while women accounted for 252. The age of the patients spanned across generations, ranging from toddlers as young as 2 years old to seniors as old as 77.

Geographically, the crisis is heavily concentrated in just five regions, which together carry 62 percent of the national burden. The National Capital Region recorded the highest number of infections with 989 cases, followed closely by Calabarzon with 808, and Central Luzon with 551. Soccsksargen and the Davao region rounded out the top areas, logging 277 and 263 cases respectively.

Currently, the National HIV Care Cascade notes that only 55 percent, representing 157,350 individuals, of the estimated population living with the virus have been laboratory-confirmed.

This gap poses a major hurdle for the Philippines as it strives to meet the global "95-95-95" targets set by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS for 2030. The international initiative dictates that 95 percent of all people living with HIV must know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed must receive antiretroviral therapy treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment must achieve viral suppression.

To close these gaps, the DOH is continuously urging members of the public, especially those at risk, to have themselves tested in certified rapid HIV diagnostic algorithm confirming laboratories and avail of free treatment in accredited HIV treatment hubs.(Hanna Jane A. Cabasag, CNU-Main Campus BA Comm Intern)