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Jeffrey Hernaez

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<p>MANILA — Free HIV testing is now available through selected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders in Quezon City.</p><p>This initiative follows the launch of the “Hakdaw Kabataan” project, a collaborative effort among the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS Philippines (UNAIDS), HIV &amp; AIDS Support House (HASH), and the Quezon City SK Federation.</p><div><br/></div><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1821859729163117008&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fnews-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Anews-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2024-08-19T01%3A58%3A15.609187%3Af44eacaa-74fd-4eff-980d-d8ee87116324%26action%3Dview&amp;sessionId=711445206ad804c782cba55f0eceab4213aaaecc&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:550px;height:649px;display:block;flex-grow:1" data-tweet-id="1821859729163117008"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><div><br/></div><p>Under this project, SK leaders from more than 140 barangays in Quezon City underwent extensive training to become Community-Based Screening Motivators.</p><p>The leaders are now equipped to provide vital HIV testing services within their communities.</p><p>According to Desi Andrew Ching, the executive director of HASH, the involvement of youth leaders in the fight against HIV and AIDS is a crucial step forward.</p><p>&quot;Hakdaw Kabataan is a significant move toward creating a generation free from HIV stigma,&quot; Ching said.</p><p>Through collaborative workshops and social media campaigns with SK officials, the project’s goal is to empower young leaders to take decisive action in developing impactful programs, advocating for youth-focused HIV initiatives, and implementing comprehensive HIV prevention strategies.</p><p>“The name &#x27;Hakdaw&#x27; reflects the dynamic and proactive spirit we aim to instill in youth leaders throughout Quezon City,” Ching added.</p><div><strong>FREE HIV TESTING</strong></div><p>Ching said the youth leaders have received comprehensive training, particularly in administering free HIV testing within their communities.</p><div><br/></div><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1824358594793652547&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fnews-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Anews-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2024-08-19T01%3A58%3A15.609187%3Af44eacaa-74fd-4eff-980d-d8ee87116324%26action%3Dview&amp;sessionId=711445206ad804c782cba55f0eceab4213aaaecc&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:550px;height:649px;display:block;flex-grow:1" data-tweet-id="1824358594793652547"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><div><br/></div><p>This training covers the proper handling and protection of data for individuals undergoing HIV tests, as well as motivational counseling for clients.</p><p>These services are free of charge for anyone who wishes to be tested.</p><p>“We ensured that the youth leaders are well-equipped with the necessary HIV-related skills and knowledge through Community-Based HIV Screening Training. This empowers them to actively participate in the testing efforts within their communities,” said Ching.</p><div><strong>U=U CAMPAIGN</strong></div><p>The project also aims to promote the concept of U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) within the community of Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV).</p><p>Under the U=U concept, PLHIV are educated on the importance of adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART) to reduce their viral load.</p><p>By maintaining an undetectable viral load, PLHIV can live normal lives and prevent the transmission of HIV to their sexual partners.</p><p>“We recognize the youth’s ability to effectively use social media, and we believe they can play a significant role in spreading the U=U concept. This effort is crucial to reach out to PLHIV who are not yet undergoing antiretroviral therapy, as this could lead to a worsening of their condition,” Ching explained.</p><p>According to the Department of Health - Epidemiology Bureau, out of the 136,378 recorded HIV cases since 1984, only 75,300 individuals are currently undergoing antiretroviral therapy.</p><p>The project is also supported by the Quezon City Government and UNAIDS, especially given that many new HIV cases in the country involve young people.</p><p>“The HIV problem is a significant issue among our youth today, so it is only fitting that young people are involved in discussions, the development of programs, and initiatives to address this problem,” said UNAIDS Philippines Country Director, Dr. Lui Ocampo.</p><p>From October to December 2023, the Department of Health - Epidemiology Bureau recorded 3,738 new HIV cases in the country, 1,115 of which were among individuals aged 15 to 24 years old.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/22/philippines-recording-55-new-hiv-cases-per-day-doh-chief-1542">Philippines recording 55 new HIV cases per day: DOH chief</a></div><p>“Through this project, in partnership with Quezon City, we aim to engage the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation not only creating programs and plans that incorporate HIV-related components but also implementing those programs through their leadership. We also encourage them to use the funds allocated to SK for these initiatives to ensure their sustainability,” Dr. Ocampo added.</p><p>HASH also hopes to broaden the reach of the Hakdaw Kabataan campaign by expanding its implementation to other Sangguniang Kabataan federations not only in Metro Manila but also in various regions across the country.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/24/life-goes-on-for-persons-with-hiv-as-doh-wants-to-mainstream-hiv-testing-001">Life goes on for persons with HIV, as DOH wants to &#x27;mainstream&#x27; HIV testing</a></div>

<p>Free HIV testing is now available through selected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders in Quezon City.</p>

Free HIV testing is now available through selected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders in Quezon City.

Quezon City youth leaders launch free HIV testing project

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Quezon City youth leaders launch free HIV testing project

Jeffrey Hernaez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 19, 2024 07:13 PM PHT

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HIV

human immunodeficiency virus

Quezon City

HIV testing

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Sangguniang Kabataan

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