Real Talk

LoveYourself Launches More Community Centers for World AIDS Day

by Gretchen Gatan Fragada
December 1, 2021

Just in time for World AIDS Day 2021, LoveYourself has expanded its area of operations for all its HIV-related services.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV. The Department of Health (DOH) AIDS Registry in the Philippines has reported about 69,629 cumulative cases since 1984 with the majority of new infections occurring among 15 to 24-year-olds. Globally, there are about 38 million people who have the virus. Some of these patients are as young as babies—as HIV can be transmitted to the fetus or newborn during pregnancy, during labor or delivery, or by breastfeeding.

World AIDS Day 2021: New Community Centers in the Philippines

Last November 24, LoveYourself announced new community centers and clinics. These include Athena by LoveYourself in North Caloocan and Bagani by LoveYourself in Bacolod City. Additionally, two clinics providing medium HIV Care are now operational—Luxecare Starmall and Luxecare Alabang. This is on top of its existing community centers: Anglo in Mandaluyong, Welcome in Manila, Victoria in Pasay, Lily in Paranaque, Hero in Bacoor, and lastly, White House in Cebu. Two more community centers are expected to finish by early 2022.

Providing Services Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Moreover, LoveYourself created adaptive measures to continue providing its services despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Like many businesses, it pivoted its regular operations online—from testing to treatment. Clients just need to set an appointment through Booking by LoveYourself for sexual health and transhealth services.

Additionally, it shifted its consultations online through iCON (interactive consultation). Furthermore, for medicine refills, it established Xpress by LoveYourself to ensure continuous treatment of clients living with HIV.

#SafetyVax Program

Another adaptive measure and innovation is the #SafetyVax program, which partnered with the Mandaluyong City government through its #Mandavax program. This aims to help the government increase social acceptability and access to COVID-19 vaccines for HIV patients.

Mobile Clinic Project

With the support of Pilipinas Shell Foundation Incorporated under the Global Fund COVID-19 Response Mechanism, LoveYourself has launched a mobile clinic project. The acXess mobile clinic helps bring HIV-related services to the community. They offer mobile testing and viral load pocket activations. It also serves as a mobile safe space for all.

World AIDS Day 2021 Activities

This World AIDS Day 2021, LoveYourself hosted major activities to promote HIV awareness and prevention. The first is PETA’s Under My Skin collaboration—written by Rody Vera and directed by Melvin Lee. It’s a one-act play that features interwoven stories of real-life experiences of Filipinos living with HIV. This aims to educate its audience about HIV.

PETA has teamed up with LoveYourself, The Red Whistle, and Unilab Philippines to bring the heartfelt drama to online audiences. The play will screen from November 30 to December 5, 2021. Tickets are available for P180 for Livestream, and P250 for Video on Demand via ticket2me.net.

Meanwhile, another activity is the Love Gala, which is a gathering of communities supporting the HIV cause. It’s also where the Ripple Awards are held to honor outstanding movers in the HIV community.