Public still waiting on rapid HIV/AIDS test

Newsday has learnt that the public has been calling and going to the centre to access VCT, but are being told to return in "two weeks." The North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) yesterday said testing will begin next month. "There is a demand and they are telling them to come back. That is a missed opportunity," an official told Newsday.

On May 23, the rapid VCT project was launched by Health Minister John Rahael at a ceremony attended by the NWRHA chairman and other health officials. It was touted as the first time rapid HIV testing would be available in the community. St George West, which falls under the NWRHA, has some of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in TT with 25 percent of new reported cases last year.

Newsday has learnt that in the absence of the rapid test, those who want to use traditional testing have been doing so. They have to wait two weeks for their test results.

Aileen Clarke, health services consultant with the NWRHA, assured that in three weeks, rapid testing and counselling would be available.

She said there were "obstacles" to the start of the programme and the NWRHA was "trying to get everything in place."

Clarke said yesterday morning she received news that the test kits and other items had arrived and were at C40 warehouse, Chaguaramas. The VCT protocol is being finalised to be in keeping with international standards. "The VCT protocol we all have to follow. We have to get consensus from the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre and key stakeholders."

She said the protocol would enable "smooth" implementation of rapid VCT at other health facilities.

Clarke said a clerk had to be sent to the George Street Centre to do data entry. While someone has been identified to fill the post, a replacement has to be found for them at the Oxford Street Health Centre. Asked why the launch had taken place before arrangements were in place for the rapid testing, she said, "because it was the appropriate time to have a launch."