There were 125 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases diagnosed in the Negros Island Region from January to March this year, a Department of Health (DOH) report released Thursday, June 4, showed.
The total HIV cases in the NIR from January 1984 to March 2025 were 3,835.
There was no breakdown of cases per NIR province in the March report.
However, DOH Negros Island Region 2025 data as of February that recorded 42 HIV cases in the NIR, showed Negros Occidental and Bacolod City having the highest number of cases.
There were 25 HIV cases recorded in Negros Occidental, 16 in Bacolod City and one in Negros Oriental as of February this year, the report said.
All 42 were male with the majority within the age of 25 to 34.
Thirty-five of the males had sex with males only, four with males and females, two with females and one unknown.
There were 39 cases recorded in 2024 with 17 in Negros Occidental, 14 in Bacolod City, 5 in Negros Oriental, and 3 in Dumaguete City.
Since 1986 to 2025 the have been 3,796 HIV cases in NIR with 490 deaths, 16 of which were reported this year, the DOH NIR data showed.
Of the 3,796 HIV cases , there were 1,781 in Negros Occidental and 1,237 in Bacolod, it said.
The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod will hold an International AIDS Candlelight Memorial at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 5, Dr. Joan Cerrada, CLMMRH head, said.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held to remember the many lives lost to AIDS.
The DOH has proposed declaring HIV a national public health emergency amid the 500 percent increase in the number of cases among the country’s youth.
DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Tuesday said the significant increase was recorded among individuals aged 15 to 25 years.
To avoid the infection, the DOH advises the practice of the combination prevention method, or the use of condom and lubricants during sex and pre-exposure prophylaxis.
Concerned individuals are also advised to take the free and confidential HIV test offered by the government.
Those who tested positive are urged to consult a physician for appropriate antiretroviral therapy.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is offering an enhanced Outpatient HIV Treatment Package for individuals living with HIV/AIDS with an annual benefit of P58,500, including antiretroviral therapy for those with confirmed positive HIV test results.*CPG with a report from PNA