The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday, July 11 expressed their support for the Department of Health’s (DOH) call to address the rising number of HIV cases and its request for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sign an executive order declaring HIV a high-priority health concern.
Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
UNAIDS, WHO support DOH's call for immediate action to combat rising HIV cases in the Philippines
Philippines
National
UNAIDS, WHO support DOH's call for immediate action to combat rising HIV cases in the Philippines
UNAIDS, WHO support DOH's call for immediate action to combat rising HIV cases in the Philippines
An estimated 250,000 Filipinos are living with HIV
Published Jun 11, 2025 03:30 pm
PHOTO FROM PIXABAY
In a statement, the two UN agencies cited that the Philippines is experiencing the “fastest-growing” number of HIV cases in the Asia-Pacific region, with new cases rising by 550 percent, from 4,400 in 2010 to 29,600 in 2024.
“The numbers paint a stark picture that demands our immediate attention and coordinated action across all levels of government and society,” UNAIDS Country Director Dr. Louie Ocampo said.
“We cannot afford to treat HIV as a health sector issue alone. It requires a whole-of-government, whole-of-society response,” he added.
As of March 2025, an estimated 252,800 Filipinos are living with HIV, but only 139,610 (55 percent) have been diagnosed.
Of those diagnosed, 92,712 (66 percent) are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Among those on treatment, only 41,786 have been tested for viral load, and 36,630 (40 percent) have achieved viral suppression, indicating effective control of the virus.
It also noted that in the first quarter of 2025, one in three new HIV cases involved Filipinos aged 15 to 24, which shows the growing risk among young people.
Critical gap
Despite the growing number of cases, HIV prevention programs remain underfunded.
In 2023, only 6 percent, or P211 million, of the total P3.6 billion national HIV expenditure was allocated to prevention efforts.
The situation has been further affected by a pause in US funding, which has delayed the rollout of key prevention initiatives and community-led responses.
UNAIDS and WHO urged the Philippine National AIDS Council to adopt the HIV Prevention Roadmap and called on agencies such as PhilHealth to ensure universal access to HIV-related services, including prevention, treatment, and testing.
The two UN agencies also reiterated their support for the DOH’s push for an executive order declaring HIV a public health emergency, as it would help mobilize all sectors of society to respond effectively.
UNAIDS and WHO encourage the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) to adopt the HIV Prevention Roadmap.
They also urged DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and other key agencies to ensure universal access to HIV services, including prevention, and to promote a coordinated, multisectoral, and effective national response.
“This executive order lays the groundwork for stronger multi-sectoral engagement, increased resource mobilization, and firm political will—essential factors in helping reverse the trajectory of rising HIV cases,” WHO Officer-in-Charge Dr. Eunyoung Ko said.
Strategic, multi-sectoral leadership
UNAIDS and WHO also called for the appointment of a senior official to lead a more coordinated national HIV response, drawing on lessons from previous health emergencies such as COVID-19, polio, and measles.
They emphasized that the response must go beyond healthcare and include education, stigma reduction, and support for vulnerable groups.
As the Philippines concludes its May 2025 elections, UNAIDS and WHO stressed the importance of sustaining political commitment across administrations to ensure continuity in the national HIV response.
They noted that the country’s recent election to the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board and its presidency of the 78th World Health Assembly offer opportunities to demonstrate global leadership in HIV response.
“The Philippines has an opportunity to take rapid action to reverse the recent trend in HIV. By demonstrating multi-sectoral efforts, advancing evidence-based strategies, and empowering community-led initiatives, we can curb the epidemic and protect Filipinos. UNAIDS and WHO are ready to provide technical support and strategic guidance—through the Global Health Sector Strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (2022–2030)—to drive an urgent, effective, and sustained national response,” Ko said.