Latest Department of Health data revealed there are 2,160 individuals aged 15-34 who have contracted  human immunodeficiency virus in January to March of this year alone. 

The alarming rate of HIV infection among the youth sector has urged LoveYourself Inc. to hold a free, fast, and confidential HIV screening at Victoria Court, Malate today, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The HIV testing, dubbed “Let’s TestMNL” specifically targets youth or those who would take the test for the first time; but nonetheless, people of all ages are invited. 

“We are aggressive in bringing this HIV testing to the youth because of their apparent vulnerability to the causes of the disease. And most importantly, only through testing that we can detect if one has virus,” says LoveYourself executive director Ronivin Pagtakhan. 

Pagtakhan strongly encourages college students and those in their early 20s to support the movement of knowing their HIV status. 

LoveYourself, Inc. is a non-government advocacy group that offers free and confidential HIV testing and treatment, counseling and peer education, and initiating programs and projects towards HIV-AIDS awareness. The organization, in cooperation with the Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicines (RITM), has two operational testing facilities: LoveYourself Anglo along Shaw Boulevard, and LoveYourself Uni in Taft Ave., Gil Puyat.