The Tribune

THE National HIV/AIDS Programme partnered with Scotiabank to provide free HIV rapid testing and counselling services at its regional testing day.

Residents and visitors took advantage of the opportunity to get tested and know their HIV status. Everyone tested received a free phone card. Additionally, the first 250 persons tested received a free gift courtesy of Scotiabank.

The event was in its third consecutive year here in The Bahamas.

Additional onsite health services included healthy lifestyle counselling; glucose and cholesterol screenings and blood pressure readings, all offered at no charge. The PEPFAR Community Outreach Team; Bahamas Red Cross Society; and S.A.S.H. Bahamas (Society against STIs and HIV in The Bahamas) were all on hand giving demonstrative lessons and distributing free condoms, lubricant, and preventative information.

The future is bright for the National HIV/AIDS Programme.

John Dinkelman, US Charg� d’Affaires; Kevin Teslyk, Scotiabank Managing Director; Dr Gerry Eijkemans, Pan American Health Organization; Sandra Smith, Joint United Nations Program; Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, Chief Medical Officer and Dr Delon Brennen, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health were on-hand to support the joint venture.

The US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is a US government funded initiative, established in 2003, to help save those suffering from HIV/AIDS around the world.