Iloilo AIDS Council toughens preventive, control measures vs. HIV
The Iloilo Provincial Local AIDS Council convened on Tuesday to tackle pressing issues surrounding the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention and control measures in the province, particularly on poor health-seeking behavior, low HIV testing coverage, limited diagnosis coverage, and minimal testing uptake among the youth.
Data from the Provincial Health Office showed a low diagnosis and treatment coverage of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the province of Iloilo from 2022 to 2025. The province also did not meet the 95–95–95 HIV testing, treatment, and viral suppression targets for four years.
Of the 4,800 estimated PLHIV as of June 2025, only 1,988 were diagnosed (41%). Of the total diagnosis coverage, 1583 were treated (80%), of which 1,065 or 67% have a suppressed viral load.
Moreover, there is a low rate of voluntary testing among young people aged 15 to 24 due to stigma, lack of information on available medical services, and lack of access to youth-friendly testing centers.
Data from the Department of Health VI revealed that majority of the PLHIV belong to the working age group (67%) followed by the young population (31%). Majority of the victims (97%) are male.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon said there is a need to strengthen the advocacy and education campaign, with focus on the preventive measures against the spread of HIV.
One intervention is the use of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a preventive medication that reduces the risk of HIV infection. PrEP, typically taken daily, has a proven 98 protective coverage against HIV infection.
Dr. Quiñon also appealed to people at higher risk of HIV exposure to submit themselves to testing at the established HIV Clinics in the district hospitals and rural health units in the province namely:
RISE CLINIC – Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial Hospital (Guimbal)
SHINE CLINIC – Aleosan District Hospital (Alimodian)
PINK CLINIC – Janiuay Rural Health Unit
CARE CLINIC – Concepcion Rural Health Unit
JUST CLINIC – Jesus M. Colmenares Memorial District Hospital (Balasan)
MOCHA CLINIC- Calinog Rural Health Unit
I HEART CLINIC – Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital (Cabatuan)
IWAG CLINIC – Iloilo Provincial Hospital (Pototan)
Free HIV testing and PrEP are also available at Gorgeous Beauty and Wellness Center in Janiuay, Pavia Rural Health Unit, Merry Mart Building (in front of Oton RHU), Concepcion Care Clinic, and Highway Inn Pension House in Calinog. (Capitol News)
