As an attempt to provide the Philippines’ “first alternative sexual health clinic”, the AIDS Society of the Philippines (ASP) has opened the ASP iCON, which offers confidential laboratory diagnostic exams that focus on sexual well-being.
iCON Clinic is at G/F OTM Building, 71 Scout Tuason St., Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City. It is open every Friday, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
“There is a need to have a service facility that caters/adheres to quality medical services responsive to clients’ right for confidentiality, self-determination, that are free from judgment/stereotypes, that are gender responsive, and integrates rights based approaches,” said Dr. Jose Narciso Melchor C. Sescon, ASP president. iCON Clinic intends to be this facility.
Currently targeting serving men who have sex with men (MSM) and, hopefully, populations at risk to HIV, AIDS or STI, the venue is aiming to provide a safe space for health and wellness, with fees that are comparably lower than those of standard clinics/hospitals. Currently on offer are basic medical, physical and medical/laboratory examinations.
More than rendering needed services, though, it is also an attempt to help make ASP sustainable.
iCON Clinic eyes being “responsive to its clients’ medical/psychosocial needs”, as it hopes to eventually expand by and become a “model of a truly sustainable gender responsive and rights-based sexual health service facility”.
For more information, contact (+63 2) 376 2541; email asp.iconclinic@gmail.com; or visit http://iconclinic.tumblr.com/.
