A new on-the-spot HIV test will soon be offered by health care providers around the territory, according to Government Information Services.
Last week, more than 70 health workers received training on how to administer the HIV Rapid Test, according to Government Information Services.
National AIDS Programme Coordinator Noelene Levons Clarke welcomed the first cohort of participants at an opening ceremony on Nov. 21.
“Provider Initiated HIV Testing and Counselling means that wherever persons access health services — whether it is in a dental unit, emergency room, public health clinic or in a doctor’s office — they are offered an HIV test so that it becomes a part of the initial assessment in the same manner as taking their temperature, heart rate and blood pressure,” Ms. Clarke said.
She added that the testing is voluntary and clients may decline the test if they choose.
The training of clinicians is part of a project facilitated by the Eastern European Overseas Territories Programme under the European Commission.
As part of an initiative managed by the Pan American Health Organisation, each British overseas territory has been receiving $120,000 for the period 2009 to 2015 to improve its response to HIV and AIDS, according to GIS.
Workshop participants, who included doctors, nurses, dentists and other clinicians, received training in pre- and post-test counselling, HIV Rapid Test Kits, safety standards and other topics. The training ended on Friday.
Previously, HIV Rapid Tests were only conducted by the National AIDS Programme on an appointment basis, during health fairs or for special events such as Regional Testing Day, according to GIS.
The tests assess whether a sample oral fluid or blood contains HIV antibodies. Once consent is given, a health care provider can run the test and provide results in the same visit.
The HIV Rapid Test is 99.6 percent accurate, although validation testing is necessary to confirm a preliminary positive result, according to GIS.
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