More than 200 testing sites are expected to be operational throughout Guyana during this week as the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) attempts to test some 10,000 person for HIV and AIDS for this period.

NAPS in collaboration with the Ministry of Health on Monday launched its week of national testing under the theme ‘Take action, take the Test’.

According to a release from NAPS, its Programme Manager Dr Shanti Singh, is “very optimistic and confident that her department will achieve or possibly surpass the target of 10,000” as Guyanese have come a long way with voluntary counselling and testing. Singh pointed out that the week of testing is “a demonstration of the level of involvement now more than ever as it relates to HIV.”

The release said Singh stressed that while a lot of people may still be in the dark as it relates to their status her secretariat through its various mass media messages has impressed upon the nation to understand that knowing your status is as normal as doing a regular health check for any other health related issue.

The Health Ministry first launched its National Day of Testing in 2006 and since then it has grown into a week of testing