Social Development Minister: Know your HIV status

Social development and family services minister Donna Cox is encouraging people to know their HIV status and not be afraid of getting tested. She made the statement on the occasion of World Aids Day, December 1.

In a release, the ministry said Cox led by example and got herself tested at its HIV-Aids co-ordinating unit’s testing drive for staff and clients of the ministry. It said the testing drive was one of the many activities hosted by the unit in achieving the first pillar of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target – that 90 per cent of all people living with HIV will know their status. Other activities included an online HIV-Aids ribbon hunt, an HIV knowledge passage, a virtual/phone competition and an online word search, all targeting ministry staff.

World Aids Day, held annually on December 1 since its first instalment in 1988, provides an opportunity to celebrate and support global efforts to prevent new HIV infections, increase HIV awareness and knowledge, and support those living with HIV-Aids.

For more information on HIV counselling and testing sites, call the ministry's HIV Co-ordinating Unit at 623-2608 ext 1454 -1459 or visit the Ministry of Health’s website at health.gov.tt.