New HIV Testing Clinic and Community Center Begins Operations

LoveYourself, Inc., an HIV/AIDS awareness advocacy group, on Tuesday started the operations of its LoveYourself Uni, a new HIV testing clinic and community center along Taft-Buendia in Pasay City.

LoveYourself Uni was inaugurated last Saturday with clinic schedule as follows: Wednesdays-Saturdays from 12:00 nn to 7:00 p.m. and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

LoveYourself Anglo along Shaw Boulevard operates on the same schedule catering to the people closer to Mandaluyong City.

LoveYourself Uni is part of the advocacy’s mission to provide free and confidential HIV testing and counseling, and promote safer sex practices, while also readying to offer treatment services within the year.

The new clinic boasts a bigger facility to accommodate the growing number of clients availing HIV testing services as well as HIV treatment services to newly diagnosed people living with HIV (PLHIV). It has a more accessible location, which is situated right beside the LRT Buendia station.

“We really wanted our new LoveYourself Uni clinic to be accessible to everyone. It’s just walking distance from the LRT which will let many more people to get tested, know their status and, very soon, seek treatment right away,” said LoveYourself Founder and Executive Director Ronivin Pagtakhan.

He said LoveYourself Uni was an upscale version of the previously operating clinic located in Malate in Manila, which has been closed since December 2015.

Meanwhile, the LoveYourself treatment program, the organization’s new offering, revolves around the 4S Model (Sensing, Synchronizing, Shifting, Sustaining) approach, which is designed to combine biomedical intervention as well as a psychosocial assistance.

The advocacy group is already providing HIV treatment services in its LoveYourself Anglo clinic located along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City.

The new clinic will offer the treatment services by second half of the year as it gains momentum. This venture, in partnership with DOH-RITM, is anchored on more holistic intervention in the fight against the rising HIV and AIDS cases.

LoveYourself believes its treatment approach can help newly diagnosed PLHIVs accept their HIV-positive status, gain courage and face the world with strength and confidence despite the prevailing stigma.

LoveYourself Uni was a collaboration of LoveYourself, Inc. with DOH, DOH-RITM, and Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. from the clinic’s conceptualization, design, construction and even up to its operation. (PNA) RMA/PR/EDS