Quezon City health officials have once again urged sexually active individuals to undergo free HIV testing to help curb the rise of infections and prevent the disease from progressing to AIDS, which has already claimed many lives.

Speaking at the Quezon City Journalists' Forum, Dr. Francis Elmer See, head of Klinika Novaliches under the Quezon City Health Department (QCHD), emphasized the importance of early detection in fighting the disease.

“Early detection of HIV is life saving treatment,” See said, adding that free testing and medication are available across nine facilities in Quezon City. “Anyone from anywhere (city non-residents included) can avail the test and treatment.”

See assured that all tests are treated with strict confidentiality.

Sarah Conclara, Special Surveillance Officer of QCHD, revealed that HIV cases in the city increased by 2.43 percent compared to last year.

“From January to May of this year, we have 421 cases, compared to just 412 cases of 2024,” Conclara reported.

Of the cases recorded so far, 149 involved minors, prompting a more aggressive information campaign that encourages sexually active individuals to get tested.

Those who test positive will be provided a month’s supply of anti-retroviral medication to help control the virus.

“It’s a lifetime treatment. It’s (free medicine) like a supplement,” See explained, referring to the medication supplied by the Department of Health.

For minors who test positive, the health department provides counseling through trained workers, including guidance on how to disclose their diagnosis to their parents.

HIV, they stressed, is not contagious through casual contact but may be transmitted through breastfeeding, sharing of needles, or unprotected sexual activity.