Singapore Group Launches Mobile Anonymous HIV Testing Van

The community group Action for AIDS (AfA) Singapore on Wednesday launched a mobile HIV and syphilis testing van - the first such service in Singapore and the region. The van has clinical facilities for testing and will travel with two specially trained staff. The rapid tests used yield results within 20 minutes.

Clients of the anonymous service will not be asked for their name or address before testing; instead, they will be assigned a serial number. After testing, the service will provide clients on-site counseling and risk assessment. Those testing positive will be referred to a clinic for confirmatory testing.

The counseling can help dispel HIV myths and preconceptions, said Anwar Hashim, the mobile service’s manager. Singapore’s rate of voluntary HIV screening is low, and the van is intended to make testing more accessible, said Roy Tan, AfA’s president. Testing can be conducted “in the evening, in late hours or even weekends,” Anwar said.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

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