Ministers take advantage of Rapid Results Testing

Members of this country’s National AIDS Secretariat (NAS) are expressing satisfaction to date at the turn out of volunteers for its Rapid Results Testing programme, introduced here about three weeks ago.{{more}}

When Searchlight caught up with the programme at the Calliaqua Health Centre on Monday, October 1, a steady flow of people from the community was filtering through for counseling and testing; a process that now takes less than an hour, as compared to a full week.

The secretariat is so far satisfied with the turn out, not only at Calliaqua, but also Sandy Bay and Bequia, where they have established sites.

Five more sites are to be set up in Clare Valley, Richland Park, Chateaubelair, Biabou and Georgetown.

To add an extra boost to the programme, area Representative Clayton Burgin and Minister of Health Douglas Slater turned up at the Calliaqua clinic to take part in the counseling and testing procedure.

The Ministers applauded the work of the Secretariat, and expressed the hope that the initiative will not only encourage persons to get tested, but take the necessary steps to reduce the risk of becoming infected, and infecting others.

A spokesperson of the NAS agreed with the Ministers, and reinforced that persons should not take an HIV negative result for granted. They should think about the risks and be more careful.

The spokesperson revealed that to date, not only has the turnout been satisfying, but also the ratio of negative to positive results.

The Secretariat is appealing for more persons to make use of the facilities, which will remain at the clinics.

They are also calling for more women and young sexually active persons to take advantage of the facilities. (JJ)