LOCALS ENCOURAGED TO MAKE USE OF FREE VCT

December 15, 2008, (Basseterre, St. Kitts): St. Kitts and Nevis' CARICOM Youth Ambassador, Ian Richards, has called on peers to take advantage of the free Voluntary and Counseling Testing (VCT) organised by the National AIDS Secretariat on Wednesday.
 
The event, which offers HIV counseling and testing at no cost, is being held at Independence Square from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
 
"Getting tested for HIV is not a statement about a person's lifestyle," Richards said. "It is a statement that says you care about yourself, you care about your partner, and you care about the people around you."
 
As a CARICOM Youth Ambassador, Richards has become a strong advocate for HIV/AIDS. He has partnered with the Ministry of Health on multiple HIV-related initiatives; worked with youth groups on special projects; and organized and hosted an HIV high school game show.
 
Students and teachers participating in the game show will be recognized at the VCT on Wednesday.
 
National AIDS Coordinator Gardenia Destang-Richardson noted that past VCTs have been very successful and she expects this to continue. The testing is easy and the results are fast, reliable and confidential. The VCT is a part of the 2008 World AIDS Campaign in St. Kitts and Nevis.