DOH mounts 299 HIV care facilities nationwide

The Department of Health (DOH) has established a total of 299 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care facilities nationwide.

Of these, 169 are located in Luzon, 71 in the Visayas, and 59 in Mindanao.

These facilities provide access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and a full range of HIV prevention, treatment, and care services, according to the DOH.

They also offer combination prevention methods, such as condoms, lubricant, and pre-exposure prophylaxis, alongside HIV screening and confirmatory testing, as well as mental health and psychosocial support.

Recent DOH data showed 57 newly diagnosed HIV cases from January to March this year, making the Philippines the top country in the Western Pacific region with the highest number of new HIV cases.

The country has also seen a 500-percent increase in HIV cases among individuals aged 15 to 25.

In response, the DOH urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in June to declare HIV a national public health emergency due to the alarming surge.

If left unchecked, the number of HIV cases in the country could exceed 400,000 by the end of 2025. In 2024, the DOH reported about 215,000 individuals living with HIV.