Self-testing to reduce HIV testing gap
Key players in the fight against HIV in Mchinji say they want to embark on self-testing awareness campaign to encourage as many people as possible to know their status.
This was revealed during a District Aids Coordinating Committee meeting yesterday which attracted organisations, local leaders and the clergy.
Mchinji District Hospital laboratory officer, who is also HIV and Aids coordinator Godfrey Mwankenje said self-testing came as a response to privacy and confidentiality concerns which affected HIV testing services.
“We believe self-testing will help many people to know their status and this can address the HIV testing gap,” he said.
Mwankenje added that people who test HIV positive should seek further testing at a health facility.
In his remarks, Senior Chief Mlonyeni said it is the duty of chiefs to take a leading role in sensitising communities to the importance of HIV self-testing.
“The fight against HIV is for everyone, and everyone needs to know their right to health, if we are to reach the UN goal of 90-90-90,” he said.
The 90:90:90 goal seeks to diagnose 90 percent of all HIV-positive persons, provide antiretroviral therapy to 90 percent of those diagnosed and achieve viral suppression for 90 percent of those treated by 2020.
