AHF calls for responsible, stigma-free HIV reporting

MANILA, Philippines — The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Philippines is calling for more accurate, stigma-free reporting on HIV as national surveillance data show gaps in diagnosis, treatment and monitoring among people living with the virus.

The Department of Health’s second-quarter 2026 HIV and AIDS Surveillance of the Philippines (HASP) report estimated that 288,000 people were living with HIV in the country in 2026. By June, 159,997, or 56% of that estimate, had been diagnosed or laboratory-confirmed.

HIV treatment gaps persist

Of those diagnosed, 111,154, or 69%, were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), medication used to treat HIV and control the virus.

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The report also highlighted a gap in viral load monitoring. Of the people receiving ART, 65,630, or 59%, had undergone viral load testing within the previous 12 months. Among those tested, 63,850, or 97%, had achieved viral suppression, meaning the amount of HIV in their blood was low enough to meet the report’s threshold.

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However, when measured against everyone receiving ART, the viral suppression rate was 57%. The two percentages use different denominators: The 97% figure applies only to those tested, while the 57% figure covers the broader group receiving treatment.

The report recorded 2,994 newly reported HIV cases from April to June 2026, an average of 33 a day. This was 39% lower than the number reported during the same quarter in 2025, while the daily average fell 35% from the previous reporting period.

READ: Philippines posts highest estimated adolescent HIV incidence in Asean

However, AHF said these figures refer to cases reported to the surveillance system during the quarter, not necessarily infections acquired during those three months.

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Among the newly reported cases, 1,294, or 43%, involved people aged 25 to 34, while 918, or 31%, involved those aged 15 to 24. Males accounted for 2,865 cases, or 96%, while females accounted for 129, or 4%.

AHF pushes stigma-free reporting

Against this backdrop, AHF Philippines said responsible media coverage could help improve public understanding of HIV and encourage people to seek testing and treatment.

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It warned that misinformation, sensationalized reporting, fear-driven narratives and outdated terminology can discourage people from accessing health services and contribute to discrimination.

“Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a community,” said Dr. Ryan Guinaran, AHF Philippines country program manager.

“The media has tremendous power to shape public understanding of HIV. Accurate and stigma-free reporting can encourage people to seek testing, stay on treatment, and access life-saving services,” he added.

PrEP enrollment rises 10%

The organization also cited increased enrollment in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), medication taken by people who do not have HIV to reduce their risk of acquiring the virus.

The HASP report recorded 9,640 new PrEP enrollments in the second quarter of 2026, up 10% from the previous quarter. Cumulative enrollments reached 107,567 since the program began in March 2021.

AHF Philippines cited the increase in enrollments as an encouraging sign of growing demand for effective HIV prevention services, underscoring the importance of making accurate information about prevention and care accessible to the public.

“Media professionals are not merely observers of the HIV response. They are partners in public health,” Guinaran said. “Through responsible reporting, journalists can help normalize HIV testing, combat misinformation, reduce stigma, and connect communities to services.”

AHF launches media awards

AHF Philippines made the call during “Empowered Stories: Advancing Accurate, Ethical, and Stigma-Free Reporting on HIV,” a gathering in Quezon City that included media reporting training and a press briefing.

The event also marked the launch of the AHF Media Awards, which will recognize journalists, media organizations and content creators producing accurate, ethical and impactful stories on HIV and public health.

The awards aim to promote evidence-based, people-centered reporting that reflects the experiences of people living with HIV and their communities.

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AHF Philippines also called for stronger cooperation among government agencies, health care providers, civil society organizations, communities and media institutions as the country works toward the global 95-95-95 targets: 95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 95% of those diagnosed receiving treatment and 95% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression. /dm