Over 1,700 tested for HIV at Argentina’s “Night Test”

In Argentina, Global Featured by Fiona Ip

In an effort to reach people who don’t typically access HIV testing through conventional facilities, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Argentina and partners took to the streets on the evening of Jan. 25 to host the third annual “Test Night” throughout 24 cities!

 

“AHF has held Test Night in the last week of January for the last three years, but this year was even more meaningful, because the government has officially recognized and endorsed the event,” said AHF Argentina Advocacy Manager Guillermina Alaniz. “Government involvement and support is essential for ending HIV in the country, and we’ll continue working to ensure that HIV testing is a right that’s within everyone’s reach.”

 

In addition to bringing testing services directly to the people, the yearly initiative caters especially to those who are only able to access testing services at night. The multi-city event resulted in 1,793 people being tested for HIV throughout the night and was covered by dozens of media outlets across the country. All those found to be HIV positive were immediately linked to care.

 

“It is essential that the State accompany these types of initiatives, since they are unique opportunities for people who do not access testing,” said Psic. Laura Ventura, a Buenos Aires city health official. “I appreciate that AHF Argentina and Testeate Buenos Aires allow us to be part of such transcendent actions.”

 

“At AHF, we want to make universal access to HIV diagnosis a reality,” added Dr. Miguel Pedrola, AHF’s Scientific Director of Latin America and the Caribbean. “We must break down all the barriers that prevent people from accessing HIV testing, since we know that early diagnosis and timely treatment will lead to ending the AIDS epidemic.”

AHF has been working in Argentina since 2013 and currently provides care and/or treatment to 18,402 clients. Learn more about the Test Night event and AHF Argentina by visiting its Facebook page!

See more photos here!

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