As the fight against HIV/AIDS continues, Guyana will this month launch a pilot self-testing project at four locations in Region Four and according to Programme Manager of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) Dr Tariq Jagnarine, while there may be some reservations it is a best-practice recommended service.
The existing reservations about self-testing, especially as it relates to tracking of persons, Dr Jagnarine said, are behind the decision to first launch it as a pilot project, which would give an opportunity for evaluation in order to see what issues may exist and put systems in place to correct them.
“The service in itself is a best-practice recommended service that is done in most first world countries. It’s… like if you are doing a pregnancy test. [However] … you need lots of tracking to ensure that persons get sufficient counselling, linking that person once they are positive with care and proper follow-ups…,” Jagnarine told Sunday Stabroek.
