THE Fourth Annual Valentine’s Day of Counselling and Testing, sponsored by the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) to target primarily couples countrywide, has recorded an overwhelming response. Held under the theme ‘Test of Love’, the initiative targeted 400 couples countrywide.
Counselling and testing services for the benefit of couples interested in being tested for HIV were made available at all 80 testing sites countrywide. Apart from the Health Ministry’s established VCT sites, other ad hoc facilities were set up in support of the campaign at the following places: the Fogarty’s Round-About on Water Street; Medicine Express on Camp Street, with a third outside of Demico House in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market Square.
According to Regional Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Supervisor in Georgetown, Delon Braithwaite, so overwhelming was the response to the call — which was well advertised over the last several weeks — that even persons who did not show up with their partners indicated their willingness to get tested; and having turned up in large numbers, they could not be refused.
“It’s been a heartening response here today,” said Braithwaite on the Day of Testing. “And persons are leaving here with the understanding that they are required to return to a VCT facility to have a second test done at the end of the ‘window period’, so that their true status can be known.”
As an incentive to get couples to turn up and be tested, Braithwaite said, attractive incentives were offered.  Couples testing were issued with numbers, and at the end of the Day of Testing, Valentine’s Day, numbers were drawn, enabling lucky couples to win fabulous prizes, such as tickets for two to dine at exquisite diners and restaurants.
Meanwhile, coming on stream for the first time as a testing site was Medicine Express, a city pharmacy operating under the theme “We Care about Your Health”.   Counsellors and testers were provided by the National AIDS Programme Secretariat. Proprietor of the entity, Sandra Khan, a pharmacist, also reported a good response, adding that many first comers came to be tested to know their sero status.
Snugly and conveniently located at 223 Camp Street, Georgetown, two buildings north of the Shell Gas Station, the Medicine Express attracted persons from a wide range of services and workplaces in that vicinity. The entity has indicated its willingness to facilitate VCT as often as NAPS would require; and yesterday, management of the Medicine Express thanked the Ministry of Health for collaborating with them as they strive to deliver on their mandate to show that they care about people.