Roadtown Tortola, BVI, June 22nd 2011 - The Ministry of Health and Social Development through its National AIDS Programme is urging the public to participate in Caribbean Regional HIV Testing Day on Friday, June 24.
Caribbean Regional Testing Day is organised in collaboration with the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV and AIDS (CBMP) and Scotia Bank British Virgin Islands Limited to promote HIV testing throughout the Caribbean region.
In the Territory’s third year of participation in this regional event, National AIDS Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Noelene Levons-Clarke told the Department of Information and Public Relations that the objective of Caribbean Regional Testing Day is to sensitise the public on the importance of voluntary counselling and testing in the prevention of the spread of HIV infection, and to mobilise the population to know their HIV status. Caribbean Regional HIV Testing Day will commence from 9:00am to 3:00pm at Scotiabank on Tortola; Scotiabank, Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour on Virgin Gorda; and for the first time at the Anegada Clinic in the Settlement.
Mrs. Clarke shared, “Caribbean Regional HIV Testing Day is yet another unique opportunity to advance universal access to the HIV prevention services in the British Virgin Islands, and the Caribbean and all are invited to participate in this initiative, especially individuals who have never had an HIV test".
In a GIS radio report interview, the National AIDS Programme Coordinator outlined the testing process, which takes approximately 20 minutes, and assured that all tests would be conducted in a confidential environment with trained counsellors available to address any concerns that may arise.
Mrs. Clarke also shared more on local plans to extend Testing Day activities beyond June, 24 to World AIDS Day on December, 1 in order to provide more opportunities at various locations in the Territory for individuals to be tested.
The Ministry of Health therefore is extending an invitation to faith based organisations and businesses to open their doors as testing sites. Interested persons may telephone 468-9785 or email nclarke@gov.vg for more information on this programme.
The National AIDS Programme functions as the HIV/AIDS focal point for the Virgin Islands and collaborates with local, regional and international agencies in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It is responsible for developing multi-sector partnerships to plan, create and implement HIV/AIDS programmes and services for an expanded national response; developing and maintaining national statistics on HIV/AIDS; and analysing the broad scope of HIV/AIDS epidemic and its impact on social development.
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British Virgin Islands News