BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC -The Belize government has launched a new initiative aimed at curbing the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus.
In collaboration with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS and key non-governmental organizations, it is introducing a national HIV Self-Testing Policy. This move positions the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country among a small group of countries in the region offering this option, aimed at expanding access and early detection.
Health officials say the policy is especially critical for individuals who are hesitant to visit clinics due to fear of scrutiny or stigma, as it provides a more private and convenient way to learn their status.
“The self-testing policy gives us the impetus so that persons who may not feel comfortable going to a clinic can have access to the self-testing kit and do the screening test at home,” said Minister of Human Development, Dolores Balderamos Garcia, noting that the policy has already received full approval and support across sectors.
Balderamos-Garcia, who is also the chairperson of the National AIDS Commission, noted, however, that people will still have to do a confirmatory test.
“And the terms that we are using these days in terms of our key populations and the at-risk groups are men and their sexual partners, especially young people who may be involved in risky sexual behaviour. They will have the opportunity to use the self-testing kit, which will be available nationwide.
“We encourage people to know that there are options to know that these tests are available and to use them so that we can reduce the incidences of HIV and aids, which, unfortunately, are still very high,” said Balderamos-Garcia, noting that there are more than 200 cases a year.
“We consider that to be high, and so we have to keep working at bringing down the incidents, making sure that there’s prevention, making sure that there’s care and treatment so that people who may be HIV positive, who are HIV positive, can get to what we call the viral suppression.”
Meanwhile, the National Aids Commission said it is becoming more aggressive in its push for national HIV viral suppression and that the self-test policy is just one part of the wider differentiated services delivery model.
Belize also offers integrated HIV treatment, and Belizeans can visit any public health facility across the country, see any doctor, and access services free of cost. These services include testing, treatment for those who are positive, and preventive medication for sexually active individuals.
“We can say we have reached this achievement of having a policy that will clearly align with the implementation at the national level of this self-testing,” said Fredy Gabb, project manager at Global Fund for Aids within the Ministry of Economic Development.
“Kids are not only self-testing modality, but also the access to prep and other prevention measures for the HIV through the Ministry of Economic Transformation, who is the principal recipient for the global fund cycle seven fully engaged to ensure that the government at the national level have sustainability beyond any grant, but for the government to start taking leadership, not only through the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
“But we need to understand that HIV at the national level is a business of everyone,” he added.
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