| Free HIV testing to be available at Scotiabank June 25 |
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| Thursday, 24 June 2010 13:08 | |||
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In just a matter of minutes everyone can know their status, information that could save lives. Along with support from the Ministry of Health and the National AIDS Foundation, Scotiabank is offering free HIV testing at all their branches in the TCI on June 25. The initiative is part of a Caribbean-wide campaign with Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS (CBMP) and Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) to help increase public interest in HIV testing as well as reduce the stigma associated with the disease. The testing takes only 25 minutes total, including pre- and post-test counseling and is completely confidential. Everyone is welcome to come and find out their status, something Director of Health Services Dr. Rufus Ewing says can prolong your life. “The earlier you know your status, the more we are able to do,” he explained. Ewing says once HIV enters your system, it wears down your immune system, putting you at higher risk of infection. Such infections can lead to full blown AIDS and ultimately death. He says medications are available which can decrease the effectiveness of the HIV virus on the system, prolonging life. “If you know your status, you can act responsibly” Ewing said. “This is not something you pick up off the shelf. It is something that happens in a moment of pleasure,” says AIDS Coordinator Aldora Robinson. “In order to take responsible action, you must know your status.” Robinson says although testing is up in the TCI, reported cases are down, which is a positive sign. “We had 33 newly reported cases last year, compared to 109 the year before,” she said. However, Robinson added there has been an increase in HIV amongst heterosexual men in the age bracket of 24-44. For those who might be hesitant or afraid to learn their status, Ewing and Robinson assured that all information is kept 100 percent confidential. They stressed that knowing your status — positive or negative — can save your life.
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| Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 June 2012 17:01 |
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