MANILA: HIV cases in the country have surged by 500 per cent, prompting the Department of Health (DOH) to call on the government to declare a national public health emergency.
In a statement on Tuesday (June 3), the DOH said the number of confirmed HIV cases per day reached 57 from January to March this year, marking a 500 per cent increase—the highest in the Western Pacific Region.
In line with this, the DOH urged the public to get HIV tests, which are free and confidential.
To prevent HIV transmission, the agency also recommended the use of condoms, lubricants, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and other preventive measures. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
