Regional HIV testing day set for Friday

The National AIDS Secretariat within the Ministry of Health is urging citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis to find out their HIV status by taking an HIV test on National Testing Day slated for Friday, June 28, 2019, at the Independence Square, Basseterre. The free HIV testing takes place between the hours of 9am and 5pm.

The tests are performed confidentially and results will be available within 15 minutes of taking the test.

The National AIDS Secretariat notes that knowing one’s status means taking control of one’s health.

The secretariat is also of the view that when people know that they are HIV Positive, it allows them to be able to control the infection while their immune system is still strong. It further advises that if a person is already ill from the infection, it is possible for that person to become healthy again and regain strength in their immune system through timely and effective treatment.

The National AIDS Secretariat will also use the occasion of the National Testing Day to reinforce the practice of safe sex to protect against the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted illnesses.

Studies have shown that treatment and reduction of the amount of virus (viral load) reduce the chance of transmission by up to 96%.