Overwhelming response from public

Feb 15, 2009 News

One of the testing sites in Georgetown.

As couples celebrated Valentine’s Day yesterday, most of them proved their love for each other by taking the ‘test for love’.

The campaign was organised by the Ministry of Health, which used the day to urge couples to take the HIV test. When the ministry initiated the campaign last year, a total of 477 persons were tested for the virus, including 104 couples. However, this year, the ministry intends to surpass this number. That campaign was only based in Georgetown, but the ministry has extended it across the country.

Testing sites were established in various parts of Region Four, including the City Mall, Fogarty’s Roundabout and Demico House Car Park, while there were testing sites in Regions Two, Three, Seven and Ten.

In an invited comment yesterday, Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said that he was amazed by the response from the public, as it demonstrated another example of how Guyanese are dealing with the issue of the stigma and discrimination attached to HIV/AIDS.

“People are no longer afraid to get tested, as demonstrated with the long lines yesterday … the lines are a concrete example to the work that has been done to sensitise the people about the virus.

Meanwhile, the ministry has received sponsorship for 15 couples who would have the opportunity to have a free dinner tonight.

Their names would be pulled from a raffle, and their dinner would be provided by famous restaurant owners in their respective regions.