By I. Inojales | 11:45 AM May 25, 2026
TAGBILARAN CITY — Bohol remains part of a region facing a persistent Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) crisis, as newly released epidemiological data showed that Central Visayas recorded 12,137 cumulative HIV cases from 1984 to March 2026, placing it among the country’s highest-burden areas.
The region, now composed only of Cebu and Bohol following the creation of the Negros Island Region in 2024, accounted for seven percent of all HIV cases nationwide.
Health experts warned that while Cebu continues to account for the bulk of infections, Bohol is not insulated from the regional trend as HIV cases continue to affect mostly young Filipinos in their most productive years.
Data showed that individuals aged 15 to 34 comprised more than three-fourths of newly diagnosed HIV infections nationwide, with males accounting for 95 percent of cases recorded during the first quarter of 2026.
The report also highlighted Central Visayas’ distinct HIV transmission pattern, with the region accounting for 99 percent of all needle-sharing transmission cases in the country, or 2,647 infections.
Authorities said the concentration of cases linked to shared needles requires prevention programs that go beyond sexual health campaigns and include stronger substance-use harm reduction measures.
Despite ongoing awareness drives and free testing services, health officials continue to grapple with treatment retention problems.
Of the 7,646 individuals currently on antiretroviral therapy in Central Visayas, around 3,007 were classified as “lost to follow-up,” translating to a treatment interruption rate of 26 percent — one of the highest in the country.
Experts warned that interruptions in treatment increase the risk of severe illness, continued virus transmission, and death.
The report also showed that only about half of active HIV patients in the region underwent viral load testing in the past year, limiting efforts to determine whether treatment is effectively suppressing the virus.
Nationally, the Philippines continues to struggle in meeting the United Nations’ “95-95-95” HIV targets for 2030, which aim to ensure that 95 percent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 percent of diagnosed individuals receive treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
Out of an estimated 288,000 Filipinos living with HIV, only 55 percent have been diagnosed, according to the report.
Public health systems have intensified the rollout of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a preventive medication that significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection.
During the first quarter of 2026, Central Visayas logged 914 new PrEP enrollees, the third-highest in the country after the National Capital Region and Calabarzon.
Health authorities said the growing uptake of PrEP among individuals aged 18 to 34 reflects increasing awareness and proactive prevention efforts among younger Filipinos.
Still, experts stressed that expanding testing and prevention alone would not be enough unless healthcare systems could sustain long-term patient retention and continuous treatment.
Nationwide, 477 HIV-related deaths were recorded during the first quarter of 2026, with nearly half involving individuals aged 25 to 34.
