SCOTIABANK is offering its customers and the general public free HIV testing at its Robb Street, Carmichael Street, Bartica and New Amsterdam branches today and at the Parika branch on Sunday from 09:00 hrs.
In a statement yesterday, Scotiabank said this Regional Testing Day 2010 initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership (CBMP), Scotiabank branches throughout the Caribbean and the local Ministries of Health, where citizens are invited to select branches to participate in free private, voluntary HIV counselling and testing conducted by trained and experienced personnel from the Ministry of Health.
“We see supporting Regional Testing Day 2010 as part of our ongoing commitment to raising awareness of HIV/AIDS,” said Kevin Teslyk, Managing Director, Caribbean East, Scotiabank. “While there is yet no cure for this disease, prevention and education remain cornerstones of HIV/AIDS awareness. Giving community members convenient access to testing facilities is paramount to raising awareness throughout the communities in which we live and work.”
“Scotiabank Guyana is thrilled to partner with the CBMP for the second year of this growing program and we look forward to continuing our support of community initiatives that are vital to the regions in which we operate,” said Amanda St. Aubyn, Country Head, Scotiabank Guyana. “Along with our numerous other initiatives, Regional Testing Day is a cornerstone of Scotiabank’s commitment to fight HIV/AIDS. We consider it vital not only to change mindsets regarding HIV/AIDS-related stigma but also in the critical area of testing.”

During Regional Testing Day 2009, approximately 5000 people from 14 territories visited a Scotiabank branch to be tested, a 200 per cent increase from the number tested in 2008. This year 15 territories are participating in Regional Testing Day, including: Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Scotiabank has been part of the Caribbean and Central America since 1889. It is now the leading bank in the region, with operations in 27 countries, including affiliates. The Bank has more than 13,000 employees in the region, including affiliates, serving more than two million customers, with 550 branches, kiosks and other offices, plus 1,047 automated banking machines.
Scotiabank is one of North America’s premier financial institutions and Canada’s most international bank. With close to 68,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates serve approximately 14.6 million customers in some 50 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a diverse range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With more than $526 billion in assets (as at April 30, 2010), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS).