Belize Launches National HIV Self-testing Policy

The Government of Belize is collaborating with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS and key NGOs to roll out a major step forward in the fight against HIV by introducing a national HIV Self-Testing Policy.  The move positions Belize among a small group of countries in the region offering this option aimed at expanding access and early detection. Health officials say the policy is especially critical for individuals who are hesitant to visit clinics due to fear of scrutiny or stigma, giving them a more private and convenient way to know their status. Minister of Human Development Dolores Balderamos Garcia says the policy has already received full approval and support across sectors.

 

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Chairperson, National AIDS Commission

“The self-testing policy gives us the impetus so that persons who may not feel comfortable going to a clinic can have an access to the self-testing kit and do the screening test at home. Now, you would still have to do a confirmatory test, but at least someone who would prefer. To do their own screening in privacy and not have to go to a clinic would have access to it. And the terms that we are using these days in terms of our key populations and the at risk groups are men and their sexual partners, especially young people who may be involved in in risky sexual behavior. They would have an opportunity to use the self-testing kit, which will be available countrywide. “We encourage people to know that there are options to know that these tests are available and to use it so that we can reduce the incidences of HIV and aids, which unfortunately are, it’s still very high. Over 200 cases a year. We consider that to be high and so we have to keep working at bringing down the incidents, making sure that there’s prevention, making sure that there’s care and treatment so that people who may be HIV positive, who are HIV positive can get to what we call the viral suppression..”

 

HIV Suppression: Free Testing Free Treatment Free Preventative Drug

 

And the National Aids Commission is getting aggressive in its push for national HIV viral suppression. The self-test policy is just one part of the wider differentiated services delivery model. Belize also boasts integrated healthcare treatment for HIV. While some countries have designated health facilities for individuals seeking HIV testing and treatment, Belizeans can visit any public health facility across the country, see any doctor and access the services free of cost. These services include testing, treatment for those who are positive and preventative medication for individuals who are sexually active.  

 

Fredy Gabb, Project Manager Global Fund for Aids, Ministry of Economic Development

“We can say we have reached this achievement of having a policy that will clearly align what will be the implementation at national level of this self-testing. Kids are not only self-testing modality, but also the access to prep and other prevention measures for the HIV through the Ministry of Economic Transformation, who is the principal recipient for the global fund cycle seven fully engaged to ensure that the government at the national level have sustainability beyond any grant, but for the government to start taking leadership, not only. Through the Ministry of Health and Wellness. But we need to understand that HIV at national level is business of everyone.”

 

Joshua Canul, Assistant Deputy Director for HIV, TB & SID’s, MOHW

“ Belize, again is one of the few countries in the Caribbean that offers these medications free of cost for people who are HIV negative, for them to remain HIV negative prep is a medication you can take daily that prevents you from getting HIV and pep. Or post-exposure prophylaxis, which is the second medication, is a medication that is given to persons who have had some type of sexual exposure within a 72 hour period for them to be prevented from catching HIV. Whether the condom broke, whether it was true sexual assault or abuse. And pep, is the medication given within a seven two hours to prevent HIV prep is the medication you can take daily to prevent you from having HIV and you take that daily. To prevent you from having HIV now these medications are all available at all government facilities countrywide free of cost.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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