WHO releases new guidance on HIV self-testing

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released new guidelines on HIV self-testing to improve access to and uptake of HIV diagnosis.

A new WHO progress report states that currently 18 million people with HIV are taking antiretroviral therapy (ART), which means people can use oral fluid or blood- finger-pricks to discover their status in a private and convenient setting. Results are ready within 20 minutes or less. Those with positive results are advised to seek confirmatory tests at health clinics.

However, 40% of all people with HIV (over 14 million) remain unaware of their status. Many of these are people at higher risk of HIV infection who often find it difficult to access existing testing services.

WHO recommends they receive information and links to counselling as well as rapid referral to prevention, treatment and care services.

WHO supports free distribution of HIV self-test kits and other approaches that allow self-test kits to be bought at affordable prices, simultaneously working to reduce costs further to increase access. Twenty three countries currently have national policies that support HIV self-testing with many other countries implementing these policies.
The organization aims to help countries scale up implementation and recommends HIV patients be offered this treatment.

Read More: http://www.thedailystar.net/health/disease/new-guidance-hiv-self-testing-1324582

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