Photo: Prime Minister getting an HIV test on World AIDS Day 2012
The St. Maarten AIDS Foundation is holding another free and confidential HIV testing day on Saturday, September 28th in Dutch Quarter, at the clinic of Doctor Sanchit, Community Help Desk and SLS Lab (A.Th. Illidge Road, #276). Testing will be offered from 10 am till 4 pm and is open to the general public.
The HIV test requires only a small prick in the finger. The tests are anonymous and linked to the person only by a one-time identifier, and return results with only a 15-minute waiting time. Volunteers from the American University of the Caribbean will assist with pre-test counseling and testing, and Spanish translators will also be on hand throughout the day.
"This is part of our strategic push to make HIV testing more accessible to the people in the districts, who may not find it convenient to come to our office or to get to our special testing days in Philipsburg", said Rae Merlet, the Executive Director of the AIDS Foundation. "We greatly appreciate that three different entities are lending us their facilities to make a large-scale testing day possible, and hope that people in the immediate neighborhood of Dutch Quarter, as well as those residing in Middle Region, Belvedere and beyond come take advantage of it."
"Invite your friends, your partner, your mom, your dad, your byside(s), your brothers and sisters. HIV affects everybody and regular testing is the only way to stay abreast of your health", remarked Dr. Gerard van Osch, the AIDS Foundation President.
The AIDS Foundation reminds the public that HIV testing is also available at the AIDS Foundation office in Cole Bay Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday mornings from 9am to 12pm. For further information, call +588 4636 or +553 2626, or consult the Foundation’s Facebook page: facebook.com/sxmaidsfoundation.