On June 30th 2017, Anguilla observed the 10th anniversary of Regional HIV Testing Day under the theme “Know your Status”. The programme was launched back in May by, PANCAP, the Caribbean Media Alliance, Scotiabank and Ministries of Health across the Caribbean region.
According to UNAIDS, the Caribbean Region has the second highest prevalence of HIV in the world thus, in 2008, the first Regional HIV Testing Day was launched through a public-private partnership to ensure HIV Testing was freely accessible and available to all in the region. Since 2008 over 70,000 persons in 21 territories have been tested for HIV on Regional HIV Testing Day. HIV Rapid Testing allows persons to get results within 20 minutes.
Permanent Secretary of Health and Social Development, Mr. Foster Rogers briefly stated, “The overall objective of this initiative is to increase public participation, through efforts such as these, to ensure that individuals among us know their status, thereby preventing transmission and the spread of HIV.” He went on, “Knowing your HIV status empowers you to make the appropriate decision regarding your health…Be positive you’re negative.”
The National Chronic Disease Unit honoured Mrs. Patricia Beard, former Director of the National Aids programme for her work in HIV testing. She was also one of the first pioneers of HIV testing in Anguilla.
