Driven by a passion to curb the HIV epidemic, Dr Ronivin Pagtakhan founded LoveYourself, an organisation that offers free STD screening in hubs around the country
With a predominantly Catholic population—nearly 80 percent of nationals—the Philippines is among a handful of conservative nations that have yet to legalise divorce or abortion. Only in 2012—after a 14-year wait—the country passed the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (RH Law). Some tried to battle its constitutionality, the law granted citizens universal access to modern contraceptives, gave women the right to post-abortion care and introduced sex education into the public school curriculum.
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The RH Law, however, has been difficult to implement. Much remains taboo regarding sexual health in the country and despite their necessity, many people still have little to no access to contraception or testing. Dr Ronivin Pagtakhan, a 2017 Gen.T honouree, is working to change that. In 2011, he founded LoveYourself, a community centre that offers free testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and provides access to pre and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
The core mission of LoveYourself is to destigmatise sex and promote sexual health. And one of the most effective ways that the organisation has been able to do so is to offer free services.
In the Philippines, free services are difficult to come by. Red tape or mismanagement of funds often makes aid difficult to deliver, and not everyone gets the chance to benefit from it. LoveYourself's model is more accessible and sustainable.
Following the business ethos of the social contracting approach, Dr Pagtakhan believes that businesses should structure decisions and operations in ways that offer maximum benefit to society. “Implementing this model would enable these organisations to secure funding and resources from various sources,” he says. “It ensures that they can continue to provide essential services to the community. By adopting social contracting, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all organisations working towards a healthier and more informed society.”
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Dr Pagtakhan’s organisation is powered by its dedicated volunteers, who work hard to eliminate the financial and logistical obstacles that deter people from getting tested and receiving care. It receives funding for its programmes from different partners, including USAID, the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Pilipinas Shell Foundation, JPMorgan and Megaworld, and works closely with government agencies and other organisations to reach a broader audience.