B.V.I. Wednesday, June 30 (GIS Press Release) - Assistant Coordinator of the National AIDS Programme Mrs. Noelene Levons-Clarke said the day’s success was largely attributable to the commitment and strong sense of teamwork that was shown by the counsellors, testers, and floor managers who were on duty at the Road Town and Valley branches of Scotiabank (British Virgin Islands) Limited. – Caribbean Regional HIV Testing Day 2010 was a major success, as 140 persons on Tortola and Virgin Gorda took the opportunity to know their HIV status.
Mrs. Levons-Clarke also reiterated the importance of knowledge in empowering persons in the Virgin Islands to protect themselves from contracting HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections.
“Our goal was to test 50 persons in Virgin Gorda and 100 in Tortola. I wish to report that a total of 49 persons were tested in Virgin Gorda and 91 on Tortola,” she said. By comparison, 78 persons were tested on Tortola last year during Regional HIV Testing Day in the Territory.
“Having an increase of 62 persons overall demonstrates that more persons are not only aware, but are acting on that awareness by accessing HIV counselling and testing. It was also encouraging to hear that some persons do HIV tests as part of their annual physical examinations,” the Assistant Coordinator noted.
Regional HIV Testing Day 2010 included interactive presentations on HIV and opportunities for the provision of direct counselling and encouragement related to sexual health.
The Assistant Coordinator said “As we still have more Rapid HIV test kits available, HIV testing can still be accessed at the National AIDS Programme on the Second Floor of the Bettito Frett Building in Road Town, and at the Iris O’Neal Clinic in Virgin Gorda.” She is also informing the public that condoms can be obtained at the National AIDS Programme and Peebles Hospital Pharmacy.
Regional HIV Testing Day was held in collaboration with the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS, the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV and AIDS, and Scotiabank Eastern Caribbean. Further information about the local activities can be obtained by calling telephone number 468-9785 or emailing nclarke@gov.vg. The main objective of this initiative was to raise public awareness of the importance of voluntarily accessing HIV counselling and testing, which helps to prevent the spread of the infection.
British Virgin Islands News