Staff from the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and the Amerindian Hostel on Princes Street seized the opportunity to know their status by submitting to the National Testing for HIV programme held there this week.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release large numbers of members of the public took the challenge to ‘Take action, Take the test’ at the Health Ministry’s urging. Co-ordinator of testing at the Health Ministry Autry Haynes told GINA on Wednesday that the Amerindian Affairs Ministry has been collaborating with it on a project aimed at sensitizing Amerindian communities about HIV/AIDS.

In keeping with this two testing sites were set up at the ministry and the hostel targeting the Amerindian population. “The response has been very heartening. Both the staff of the ministry and members of the public were very keen in testing,” he said. Community Development Officer at the Amerindian Affairs Ministry Clive Patterson also praised the initiative.

GINA said testing was scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at the two sites and due to the massive turnout at the hostel it was extended to Wednesday. Over 110 persons were tested at the two sites.

The ministry declared November 17- 21 National Week of Testing under the theme ‘Take action, Take the test.’ Over 200 locations have been set up region wide to facilitate it.  The initiative was undertaken by the National AIDS Programme Secretariat in its quest to test 10,000 people this year, GINA said.