Camille Naredo

This picture taken on December 7, 2016 shows a nurse holding a vial containing blood from an individual that will be sent for HIV testing at the LoveYourself Anglo Center in Manila. Noel Celis, AFP/File

This picture taken on December 7, 2016 shows a nurse holding a vial containing blood from an individual that will be sent for HIV testing at the LoveYourself Anglo Center in Manila. 
HIV infections among men having sex with men in the Philippines have surged 10-fold in five years, with authorities largely ignoring the problem, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on December 8. / AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS AND Noel CELIS

Article (news)

HIV 

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173877213509320170801-philippines-hiv-AFP-2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="This picture taken on December 7, 2016 shows a nurse holding a vial containing blood from an individual that will be sent for HIV testing at the LoveYourself Anglo Center in Manila. Noel Celis, AFP/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">This picture taken on December 7, 2016 shows a nurse holding a vial containing blood from an individual that will be sent for HIV testing at the LoveYourself Anglo Center in Manila. <em>Noel Celis, AFP/File</em></span></span></span>MANILA — LoveYourself revealed its delivery service is no longer free following the US government’s freeze order on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).</div><p>LoveYourself, an advocacy group for sexual health, trans health, and mental health, remains operational and still offers free HIV testing and medicines with the help of the government and The Global Fund. But a crucial aspect is the free delivery service which is funded by the USAID.</p><p>Its executive director, Vinn Pagtakhan said: “What about people who are afraid, who are not ready, who are anxious? Sila po yung sa tingin ko mas at risk kasi sila mas nag hide. That’s why we created this innovation so we could reach this targeted population who night be the ones spreading the infection.”</p><p>LoveYourself delivers over 7,000 testing kits and PREP medicines per month. This was a free service, enticing many to avail of the service especially the poor and those who may scared to go to the clinic physically.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/2/1/-wake-up-call-lgbt-group-says-marcos-admin-must-step-up-as-trump-freezes-foreign-aid-1009">READ: LGBT group says Marcos admin must step up as Trump freezes foreign aid</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/1/30/us-aid-freeze-threatens-efforts-to-curb-hiv-epidemic-in-ph-1450">READ: US foreign aid freeze threatens efforts to curb HIV epidemic in PH</a></div><p>Pagtakhan added that 40 of their employees were also affected as the staff get their salary from the USAID grant. He said he had to find ways so they can keep their employees.</p><p>However, other smaller testing clinics did not have much resources. He said: “Almost 10 closed down kasi their payroll… They were asked to stop.”</p><p>Pagtakhan is hopeful the Philippine government can step in and expand its help in the country’s HIV care program which includes not just the treatment, but the prevention as well. He said there are about 145,000 reported cases in the country and less funding on HIV programs can have an impact on the number of cases in the coming years.</p><p>He urged the public to still visit their clinics for free testing, medicine, or consultations. But he hope that either the USAID help will resume or government can step in, so they can continue their work which has already helped thousands of Filipinos.</p>

<p>LoveYourself revealed its delivery service is no longer free following the US government’s freeze order on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).</p>

LoveYourself revealed its delivery service is no longer free following the US government’s freeze order on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

LoveYourself: USAID freeze affects free delivery service

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LoveYourself: USAID freeze affects free delivery service

Jekki Pascual,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 06, 2025 12:43 AM PHT

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