Infectious diseases agency CDA recommends adults in S’pore get tested for HIV at least once

SINGAPORE – The newly set-up Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) has recommended that every adult aged 21 and older in Singapore be tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime, regardless of risk factors.

It said that individuals who know their HIV status can receive treatment early and prevent others from getting infected.

“Individuals who engage in at-risk sexual behaviours should go for regular HIV testing every three to six months. HIV self-testing is a quick and convenient way to check one’s HIV status,” the CDA said on May 23, adding that HIV self-testing kits have been available for purchase at selected retail pharmacies nationwide since 2025.

The recommendation is in line with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 95-95-95 targets for HIV testing, treatment and viral suppression.

The CDA said that close to 90 per cent of people living with HIV in Singapore know their diagnosis; 96 per cent of those diagnosed are receiving treatment; and 94 per cent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.

To sustain progress on the second UNAIDS target and advance towards the third target, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that the MediSave withdrawal limit for HIV drugs will be increased from $550 to $850 monthly from June 1.

“This will make it easier for patients to manage the lifelong, recurrent expenditures associated with regular antiretroviral therapy regimens, and consequently, make HIV treatments more accessible,” said Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam.

Speaking at the Singapore HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Congress held at the Aloft by Marriott Singapore Novena hotel, Madam Rahayu said: “Together with other financial assistance schemes, such as the Medication Assistance Fund and MediFund, this will help reduce financial barriers for patients with HIV.”

She added that removing financial barriers at the point of diagnosis means patients can start treatment immediately.

It also encourages early engagement with clinical services and reduces the likelihood that individuals will fall through the cracks between testing and care.

“Recognising the role of families in care provision, patients will also be able to tap on their family members’ MediSave accounts to pay for such treatments,” she said.

“This allows their loved ones to step in to support HIV patients effectively. When families step in, we strengthen not just individual care, but community health as a whole.

“Together, we can ensure every citizen living with HIV receives the support and treatment they need.”

CDA’s recommendation for testing comes after amendments to the Infectious Diseases Act were passed in Parliament in 2024, to encourage more individuals living with HIV to be tested and start treatment.

It is also in line with a guideline issued by the World Health Organization in 2024 which recommends expanding self-testing and network-based testing services for sexually transmitted infections, with the goal to end the HIV epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.

The CDA said it will continue to focus on encouraging early detection, improving linkage to care for those who test positive, and supporting treatment needs.

It reiterated that the most effective way to prevent HIV infection is to remain faithful to one’s spouse or partner and to avoid casual sex.

“Individuals engaging in at-risk sexual behaviours, such as having multiple sexual partners or engaging in casual or commercial sex, are strongly advised to use condoms to reduce their risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections,” said the agency, adding that the use of preventive measures like HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis are highly effective when used as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy.

Giving an update on HIV cases in Singapore, the agency said there were 166 new cases of HIV reported among Singaporeans and permanent residents in 2025, bringing the total number of Singapore residents known to be living with HIV to 7,248.

The agency said the number of new cases annually has been gradually decreasing over the years, ranging from 300 to 500 cases from 2009 to 2019, 200 to 270 cases from 2020 to 2023, and declining to fewer than 200 cases annually since 2024.

“While the number of new HIV cases has increased slightly in 2025 compared with the same period the year before, year-on-year fluctuations are expected. CDA will continue to monitor the trend,” added the agency, which was set up on April 1, 2025, under the MOH to consolidate the public health functions that detect, prevent and control infectious diseases.

The agency said that of the 166 new cases, 96.4 per cent were men and 55.4 per cent had late-stage HIV infection when they were diagnosed, which is higher than the proportion of late-stage cases in 2024 at 51.7 per cent.

Sexual intercourse remains the main mode of HIV transmission, accounting for 161 of the new cases. Heterosexual transmission accounted for 54 of the new cases, 94 occurred in men who have sex with men, and 13 occurred in bisexual men.

“A higher proportion of men who have sex with men, including bisexual men, had their HIV infection detected via self-initiated HIV screening compared with cases attributed to heterosexual transmission,” said the CDA, adding that cases detected via self-initiated screening tended to be in the early stage of infection.

“With early and effective treatment, HIV can be suppressed to undetectable levels, allowing people living with HIV to lead long, healthy lives and protect their spouse/partners from infection.

“People living with HIV who are on regular treatment and have a consistent undetectable viral load for at least six months have no risk of transmitting the virus to their sexual partners,” the agency added.