Join the #LoveSquad on November 26 and make HIV screening your #SquadGoals

By Jean Natividad

Hey, you! Yes, you. The #LoveSquad is calling on all you fitness buffs, jet-setters, bookworms, and lovers of life out there. Be at Victoria Court Malate on November 26, 2017, Sunday, for LoveYourself’s fast, easy, and totally anonymous HIV screening day. The event is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., so grab the whole gang and make HIV screening your #SquadGoals.

Visit go.loveyourself.ph/lovesquad to sign up, and you will receive a confirmation message two days before the event (November 24, 2017, Friday).

Just like LoveYourself’s previous HIV screening day events, #LoveSquad is here to reach out to key-affected populations, especially the millennial generation, that still experience the stigma attached to HIV testing. This initiative is one of LoveYourself’s many efforts to halt the growing number of HIV cases in the country by promoting HIV testing as a regular part of one’s self-care routine.

The #LoveSquad reflects today’s informed youth that not only finds enjoyment and fulfillment in different activities like working out, traveling, studying, or relaxing - but also believes in the importance of HIV screening to truly make the most out of life. As HIV screening day draws closer, the #LoveSquad asks you to join them in proving that knowing your status is a must.

#LoveSquad HIV screening day prioritizes strict confidentiality and quick screening procedures. Clients won’t have to fill out any lengthy forms. Instead, they will just need to give their contact information upon registration, and they will then be given a Unique Identifier Code (UIC).

LoveYourself’s army of trained counselors will assist clients as they undergo HIV screening. During this process, blood is extracted by a simple prick of a finger using sanitary, disposable, one-time-use needles. The results, which will be discussed privately by the clients and their respective counselors, will only take 15 to 20 minutes.

While waiting for the results, counselors will talk about the screening process as well as safe sex practices to lower one’s risk of acquiring HIV. HIV information materials will also be distributed, and snacks will be served.

In case of a reactive result, the concerned client will need to provide their full information for the Paperless Personal Information Sheet (DOH-NEC form). This is needed for confirmatory testing and referrals to accessible treatment facilities. Results of the confirmatory test usually take two hours.

Even with a quicker screening process, #LoveSquad assures reliable results, as seen in the success of previous LoveYourself HIV screening day events. The 3rd generation rapid test kits to be used have 100% accuracy for non-reactive clients.

So mark your calendar for November 26’s #LoveSquad event and make HIV screening your #SquadGoals. Don’t forget to register at go.loveyourself.ph/lovesquad, and we’ll see you there!