Living with HIV in the Philippines: Manila FREE HIV Testing

From the last Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry of the Department of Health, National Epidemiology Center, half of 415 reported cases came from the National Capital Region alone. Metro Manila has 53% of the cases of the new diagnosed thus it is imperative that people should be aware of the impending HIV crisis lurking.

The ultimate test to know if one has HIV is ONLY through the HIV test. Like what I always tell people, symptoms of HIV are non specific, thus, people should not be focused on them, rather, if there has been a possible exposure to the incurable virus.

But if you are in Manila are, where can you get the HIV test? Well, you can get the HIV test in all the private hospitals in Manila. However, if you want to get it for FREE, you can go to these clinics:

1. RITM Satellite Clinic in Malate.

It is one of the most discreet, non-discriminatory and supportive clinics for an HIV Test
FREE HIV Test and counseling.
Open from Mondays to Sundays (except Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
It is the ONLY clinic that offer FREE HIV testing on Saturdays and Sundays. Cut off of screening is 5:30pm.
The HIV Test uses both Rapid and Particle Agglutination HIV Tests which provide accuracy of up to 99%. This means that there is no need to wait for a confirmatory result (Western Blot Test) that would take 2-3 weeks.
One can get the result from the HIV test 2 hours after the screening.
Aside from HIV/STI Screening, the other services offered are: Dermatology Clinic, OB-Gynecology and Infectious Diseases/STD testing and consultation.
Also conducts Genital Wart Removal
Very accessible to public and private transportation

ADDRESS and Contact Number of the RITM Satellite Clinic

RITM Satellite Clinic

Address: #1850 Leon Guinto Street, Malate, Manila

Phone: 353-8922

MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

11AM TO 7PM, CUT OFF AT 5:30PM

SUNDAY

9AM TO 4 PM, CUT OFF AT 2 PM

TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY

CLOSED

Look for Nurse Nicka or Nurse Trisha and tell them that Pozziepinoy referred you!

HOW TO GET THERE

1. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:

a. Jeepney/Bus:

1. From Pasay, Baclaran, Makati and nearby areas: Take the Pasay-Taft-Quiapo Jeepney and ask the driver to drop you off at Remedios Street. On Remedios walk until you see Leon Guinto Sr. Street then turn left. Walk a little until you see the RITM Satellite Clinic on the right side.

2. From Caloocan, Quezon City, Recto, Quiapo, Sta. Cruz and nearby areas: Take Taft-pasay Jeepney and ask the driver to drop you off at J. Nakpil Street. Cross taft Avenue and walk on J. Nakpil until you see Leon Guinto Sr. Street, then turn right. Walk a little until you see the RITM Satellite Clinic on the Left side.

b. LRT:

1. From Baclaran, EDSA, Buendia, Vito Cruz Stations: Pay to go to Quirino Station. Either walk or take the jeepney on Taft Avenue and ask the driver to drop you off at Remedios Street. On Remedios walk until you see Leon Guinto Sr. Street then turn left. Walk a little until you see the RITM Satellite Clinic on the right side.

2. From Caloocan, Quezon City, Blumentritt, Recto, U.N. Stations; Pay to go to Pedro Gil. Either walk or take the jeepney on Taft Avenue and ask the driver to drop you off at J. Nakpil Street. Cross taft Avenue and walk on J. Nakpil until you see Leon Guinto Sr. Street, then turn right. Walk a little until you see the RITM Satellite Clinic on the Left side.

2. TAXI or PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION:

a. Take Taft and turn to either J. Nakpil or Remedios Streets until you reach Leon Guinto Sr. Street

LANDMARKS:

1. Near Taft Ave landmark: BPI Bank

2. Remedios St. Landmark: Mini Stop Convenient Store

2. MANILA SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINIC

(Photos and details courtesy of Manila Social Hygiene Clinic Facebook Page)

BASIC INFORMATION

Provides free, friendly and confidential STD and HIV testing. Get tested and be informed on its symptoms and prevention.

Description

The clinic offers the following services free and confidentially:
- Consultation and STD medicines
- HIV/AIDS testing and post-test counseling
- Information education and communication materials
- Referrals to other hospitals and peer counseling groups

General Information

The Manila Social Hygiene Clinic is the arm of the Manila Health Department focusing on providing education, advocacy, referral, treatment, care and support to most at-risk populations and to interested individuals who would like to be educated or tested for sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

ADDRESS, CONTACTS & CLINIC SCHEDULES

Location

208 Quiricada Street, Sta. Cruz. In front of San Lazaro Hospital., 1003 Manila, Philippines

Hours

Mon - Thu: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Fri: 8:00 am - 11:00 am

Public Transit

Take LRT Line 1 and get off either at LRT Bambang Station or LRT Tayuman Station. Walk towards Quiricada Street. The clinic is in the second floor of the building across the main gate of San Lazaro Hospital.

CONTACT INFORMATION