For a second year HIV testing will be done countrywide today and efforts have been scaled up to reach the target of 2,500 persons before sites close at 5 pm.
Several senior officials including US Ambassador David Robinson; Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony and Minister of Housing Harrinarine Nawbatt were tested at the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) yesterday, demonstrating their commitment in the fight against HIV.
Director of NAPS Dr Shanti Singh said an ambitious target has been set but additional fixed and temporary testing sites are in place. She said NAPS and the Ministry of Health, which organizes and executes the National Day of Testing, have been reaching out to couples and families urging them to get tested.
Singh said there are still many young children who are infected and still to know their status in addition to a larger number of persons across the country who have never been tested. She said they are hoping people will go out with their children today, adding that the sites set up across the country guarantee confidentiality and privacy.
Forty-six fixed sites and 53 temporary sites in addition to a few mobile units will be open to the public today. Singh said some of the temporary sites are set up at strategic locations including Stabroek and Bourda markets, Fogarty’s and the Walter Roth Museum on Main Street.
Though they are hoping to reach the target, she said, quality would not be comprised for quantity. Singh said counsellors have been instructed to take every person through the necessary steps before and after testing. She said a number of peer educators who were recently trained will join forces with counsellors and other health personnel.
The NAPS Director also revealed that several ‘floating’ counsellors would be on location at the Brickdam location to replace counsellors in the field who request relief.
She added that NAPS again teamed up with community mobilization groups; faith-based organizations, NGOs and the private sector for the event this year, which is being held under the theme, “Don’t take chances – take the test”.
Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy, in his message to mark the day, said Guyana has reached the stage where large numbers of Guyanese have seen the wisdom of not taking chances and they are taking the test. However he stated that less than 20% of Guyanese know their HIV status, adding that everyone needs to know.
“If we know our HIV status, we can ensure that early treatment and care permit a person to live productive and longer lives.
There are treatment options and we can obtain these for free in Guyana,” he said.
Ramsammy said he was encouraged by the support of the various organizations and the private sector.
