On June 29th 2018, Anguilla will observe the 1st National HIV Testing Day after having observed Regional Testing Day for the last 10 years. The official Regional Testing Day public-private partnership has ended after achieving its goals of heightening public awareness of the importance of HIV testing with over 160,000 persons being tested for HIV at over 300 sites in 21 Caribbean countries over the last 10 years. During the life of the partnership, the Caribbean region saw a 40-60%reduction in the number of AIDS deaths and a 40% increase in the number of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) on Antiretroviral Treatment. Therefore, providing people with convenient access to HIV testing is an important component to ensuring this progress in the HIV epidemic continues.
Thus, the National Chronic Disease Unit (NCDU), Scotiabank and FLOW have joined to ensure persons in Anguilla can still access free HIV Rapid testing at this time. Getting regularly tested and knowing your HIV status empowers persons to make informed decisions about their health and maintain a good quality of life.
Twyla Bradshaw-Richardson, Director of the NCDU urges the general public to take advantage of this opportunity. She states: “If you don’t know your status, it’s time to find out. Many new HIV infections are caused by people unaware that they are infected. Do not wait until it’s too late. Testing is confidential, quick and easy.”
HIV Rapid Testing results are available in 20 minute; testing will take place at FLOW Parking Lot from 9am – 2pm on June 29th 2018.
For more information, contact the National Chronic Disease Unit within the Ministry of Health at 497 3930/ 497 3789.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
