HIV/AIDS voluntary testing satisfactory
By Pauline Waruguru
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Ministry of Health VCT counsellors, Nevis HIV/AIDS Coordinating Unit staff and volunteers were at hand to offer VCT services yesterday at the Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Street, Nevis
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Charlestown, Nevis: The turnout at the first national HIV/AIDS Voluntary Testing and Counseling (VCT) Day in Nevis has been deemed as encouraging by Nadine Caines, Nevis HIV/AIDS Coordinating Unit Prevention and Education Officer.
Between 10 a.m and 3.00 p.m., on December 19th, 48 persons had turned up find out about their status.
“It is the first National VCT Day in Nevis. The turn-out was encouraging,” Caines said.
According to Caines, when you test for HIV you learn about your status. If you are positive, you will be able to access care and treatment. If you are negative, you will protect your negative status.
Caines told SKNVibes.com that there are 23 persons in Nevis living with HIV/AIDS presently. Sixteen out of the 23 are receiving care and treatment, of which 14 were receiving the treatment free of cost.
An unidentified client said she had heard about the VCT (Voluntary Counselling and Testing) Day over the radio.
“I had been thinking about doing a test to know my status…so I came,” the unanimous client said. ~~Adz:Right~~
Asked whether she was frightened about the outcome of the results, she just said she hoped the result was negative.
The client said through the VCT, counsellors educated her on the importance of sexual health. She further said that women were more prone to infection and should therefore opt for the VCT.
Pressed to say whether women had the ability to negotiate for condom use with their partners, the client said that in Nevis, women have the power to negotiate and to be strong and stand up to men.
She was concerned about teenagers’ approach to the whole pandemic.
“They too need to protect themselves from HIV. Teenagers need to know that HIV/AIDS is not a cold. It is a serious disease,” she said.
