THE Ministry of Public Health says there is no shortage of HIV testing kits at the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) , dispelling contrary reports.Responding to reports about a countrywide shortage of HIV testing kits, NAPS acting Programme Manager, Dr. Ruth Ramos yesterday told the Chronicle: “We are not out of supplies. Everything is under control and there is nothing to worry about.”

Dr. Ramos, now acting for NAPS Programme Manager, Dr. Shanti Singh who is on leave, said the National Treatment and Care Centre has supplies, as well as the Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) sites which continue to work routinely.

This newspaper was also reliably informed that supplies are in the country and these are currently going through a clearing process, so that all centres can expect to have their current supplies boosted in the near future.

The three brands of HIV Rapid Test Kits being used locally are: Uni-Gold and Determine, for use with whole blood, serum, or plasma, and Stat-Pak. (Shirley Thomas)