Adults in Singapore urged to take at least one HIV test, says infectious diseases agency

SINGAPORE, May 23  — All adults aged 21 and above should undergo at least one HIV test in their lifetime, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on May 23, in its first major public advisory since being set up in 2025. The recommendation applies regardless of risk level, with the agency stressing that early diagnosis remains key to treatment and prevention. 

According to The Straits Times, those with higher-risk sexual behaviours — such as having multiple partners or engaging in casual or commercial sex — are advised to test every three to six months. HIV self-test kits, available at selected pharmacies since 2025, offer a quick and discreet option.

The CDA’s guidance aligns with the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which aim for 95 per cent of people with HIV to know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed to receive treatment, and 95 per cent of those treated to achieve viral suppression. Singapore is close to these benchmarks: nearly 90 per cent of people living with HIV know their diagnosis, 96 per cent of them are on treatment, and 94 per cent have achieved viral suppression. 

To strengthen access to care, the Ministry of Health will raise the MediSave withdrawal limit for HIV drugs from S$550 (RM1,705) to S$850 per month starting June 1. Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam said the move will ease the burden of lifelong antiretroviral therapy and encourage patients to begin treatment immediately after diagnosis. 

Patients may also tap their family members’ MediSave accounts, a measure aimed at supporting long-term care and reducing financial barriers.

Singapore recorded 166 new HIV cases in 2025, slightly higher than the year before but still part of a long-term downward trend. Annual cases have fallen from 300–500 in the 2009–2019 period to below 200 since 2024. 

However, late-stage diagnoses remain a concern, with 55.4 per cent of new cases in 2025 detected at a late stage — up from 51.7 per cent in 2024.

Men accounted for 96.4 per cent of new infections. Sexual transmission remains the dominant mode, with 94 cases among men who have sex with men, 54 via heterosexual transmission, and 13 among bisexual men. 

The CDA noted that self-initiated screening is more common among men who have sex with men, leading to earlier detection in this group.

The agency reiterated that the most effective prevention methods include staying faithful to one partner, avoiding casual sex, and using condoms. It also highlighted the effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) when used as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy. 

With early and consistent treatment, individuals can suppress the virus to undetectable levels — meaning they cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners.

المصدر: Malay Mail