Push for stepped up HIV testing

MINISTER?OF HEALTH JOHN BOYCE says all efforts will be made to increase the number of Barbadians who are tested for HIV, the deadly virus that leads to AIDS.
He was speaking yesterday afternoon at the launch of Regional Testing Day 2013 in Parliament Yard before an audience that included Chief Medical Officer Dr Joy St John and Dr Allyson Leacock, executive director of the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS.
“According to the World Health Organization, the overall goal for HIV testing for a national programme should be to identify as many people as possible with HIV early in their infection and link them successfully to prevention, care and treatment services, and link those who test negative to prevention services.
“We are therefore aiming to increase the number of people who are tested for HIV, which will lead to an increase in the number of people who become aware of their HIV status and allow those with HIV to access appropriate clinical care,” Boyce explained. (MK)