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SINGAPORE: The government will increase the MediSave withdrawal limit for HIV drugs from S$550 to S$850 monthly from Jun 1, to help patients pay for recurring antiretroviral therapy.
Patients will also be able to use their family members’ MediSave accounts to pay for such treatments.
Announcing this on Saturday (May 23), Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam said reducing financial barriers for HIV patients at the point of diagnosis allows them to start treatment quickly.
“This encourages early engagement with clinical services and reduces the likelihood that individuals will fall through the cracks between testing and care,” she said at the Singapore HIV, Hepatitis & Sexually Transmitted Infections Congress, organised by the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA).
The number of new cases annually has been decreasing over the years, ranging from 300 to 500 from 2009 to 2019; 200 to 270 cases from 2020 to 2023; and fewer than 200 cases annually since 2024.
In 2025, 166 new HIV cases were reported among Singapore citizens and permanent residents, compared with 151 in the previous year. Year-on-year fluctuations are expected, CDA said on Saturday, adding that it will continue to monitor the trend.
Of the 166 new cases, 96.4 per cent were male and 55.4 per cent had late-stage HIV infection when they were diagnosed, which is higher than the proportion in 2024.
The year-on-year increase in cases in 2025 shows Singapore cannot rest on its laurels, Mdm Rahayu said.
In addition, the late-stage diagnoses underline the need to reduce stigma and misinformation that continues to discourage people from getting tested earlier, she added.
To encourage testing, HIV self-testing kits have been made available at places such as some retail pharmacies since last January. Mdm Rahayu said demand has been “strong and consistent”, with an average of more than 800 kits sold monthly.
“This has broadened HIV testing options beyond traditional clinical settings, making it easier for individuals to learn their status privately and conveniently, while complementing existing clinic-based services,” she added.
Mdm Rahayu also said Singapore is working towards meeting the global target by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in treating and managing HIV.
Under the 95-95-95 framework, the aim is to achieve a 95 per cent target for testing, treatment and suppression, as a way of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030.
“I am happy to note that we have reached close to 90 per cent of people living with HIV knowing their diagnosis, around 96 per cent of those diagnosed are receiving treatment, and almost 94 per cent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression,” Mdm Rahayu said, while acknowledging that gaps remain.
“These include reducing delayed diagnosis, improving linkage to care for those who test positive, and ensuring that patients are able to access HIV treatment without financial barriers,” she added.
CDA said the most effective way to prevent HIV infection is to remain faithful to one’s spouse or partner and to avoid casual sex.
Those who engage in at-risk sexual behaviours should go for regular HIV testing every three to six months.
"Since testing is the only way to determine one’s HIV status, CDA recommends that every adult get tested at least once in their lifetime, regardless of risk factors," the agency added.
It noted that 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 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," CDA added.
