Accurate HIV reporting sought
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Philippines is advocating for more accurate and stigma-free media reporting regarding the country's HIV response. With nearly 3,000 new cases reported in the second quarter of 2026, the organization emphasizes the media's role in normalizing testing and reducing discrimination.
Why it matters
Improving the quality of public health communication is essential for increasing testing rates and treatment adherence in the Philippines.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Philippines has called for stronger and more accurate media reporting on the country's HIV response."Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a community. 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," AHF Philippines country program manager Ryan Guinaran said during the "Empowered Stories: Advancing Accurate, Ethical and Stigma-Free Reporting on HIV" event in Quezon City.According to the second-quarter 2026 HIV and AIDS Surveillance of the Philippines report cited by AHF Philippines, an estimated 288,000 Filipinos are living with HIV. Of these, 159,997, or 56 percent, have been diagnosed and know their status.The report recorded 111,154 people receiving antiretroviral therapy.
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