DOH includes HIV testing in YAKAP program expansion

MANILA, Philippines, November 5 ------ The Department of Health (DOH) is including HIV testing in the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) as part of its measures to expand access to HIV services in the country.

The department also cited plans to expand access to HIV services in primary care facilities and social hygiene clinics, promote HIV awareness in schools, workplaces and communities, and strengthen treatment monitoring. The measures also include ensuring adequate supplies of HIV medicines and improving access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the DOH said.

Health Secretary Edwin Mercado said that HIV can be controlled through consistent medication. The DOH also reported that the annual coverage of PhilHealth's Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment (OHAT) package was raised to P58,500 from P30,000. These initiatives are part of the Unified National Agenda for Health, the health department said. Mercado presented the measures during the Philippine National Convention on AIDS 2026, the DOH said in a statement issued on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Source: manilatimes.net