We’re so proud to support frontline partners that offer HIV testing in safe and protected ways such as at home to communities all over the world. Thanks to our partners, we were able to fund over 375,000 HIV tests in 2020 for vulnerable communities to make sure no one is left behind.
National HIV Testing Week in the UK takes place from 1st – 7th February 2021 but at the Foundation, it is our goal to make HIV testing accessible to everyone, no matter who you are or where you live. Just like we have all learnt with the COVID-19 pandemic, testing is critical to know your status so you can take action to protect yourself and others to save lives.
Why should I get an HIV Test?
UNAIDS reported that in 2019, approximately 7.1 million people did not know that they were living with HIV. Testing opens the door to early diagnoses and means life-saving treatment may be available to those living with HIV as soon as possible. This decreases the chance of developing HIV-related illnesses and drastically improves a person’s quality of life.
HOW can I get tested?
There are various ways that you can get tested for HIV, including: asking your GP, at your local Sexual Health Clinic or by self-testing at home.
Self-testing is one of the most convenient ways to test and the process is super simple: you order your test online or collect it at a testing centre, you take your sample at home with a fingerprick tool and then send it back to the lab, who will send your results to you as soon as they have them ready.
If you do a rapid self-test, you will have your results at home in less than 20 minutes.
- Free HIV self-testing in England: freetesting.hiv
- Free HIV self-testing in Scotland: hivtest.scot
- HIV self-testing in Kenya: chukuaselfie.com
What if I test positive for HIV?
We have made extraordinary advances in medical treatment which means that you can now live a full, healthy, happy and productive life. Early diagnosis and consistent care are essential for your health so it is important that you speak to your doctor and take your HIV medicines as directed to protect yourself and others.
Are my results confidential?
Your testing results will be 100% confidential and will only be known by you.
View more of the latest global HIV statistics here.
STORIES
The Knights and Orchids Society, founded in 2012, is the first Black transgender and gender nonconforming AIDS organisation is Alabama, USA. They strive to create a world where oppressed communities feel empowered to obtain their dream of justice and equality.
With funding from the Foundation, they work tirelessly to provide life-changing services to their community such as HIV testing, legal name change support, gender expression toolkits, voter registration assistance and much more.
Find out more about their HIV education and testing services here.
Meet Africa and LaKeisha who both work at SisterLove in Atlanta. LaKeisha is responsible for overseeing all HIV and STI testing and Africa connects the faith-based community to education and information on vital issues stemming from HIV testing, prevention, COVID-19 and public policy.
SisterLove has collaborated with local faith-based medical providers and communities to provide COVID-19 education and testing in conjunction with HIV self-testing and telehealth. This initiative allows SisterLove to inform the community of their HIV testing and care services, and has created the opportunity to educate faith leaders on the effects of HIV and COVID-19 on the Black community and how they can protect themselves and others.
SisterLove is now providing free and confidential HIV Self-testing kits.
Humanitarian Project work to improve HIV prevention, care, and support programs for people most heavily impacted by HIV in the Novosibirsk region of Russia. They’ve developed a model to ensure those who come to them for help can continue to test for HIV in the safety of their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s Dmitry and Nadezhda preparing home test kits for delivery. When a client receives the package, Humanitarian Project’s experienced team will contact them to conduct the test and offer a full consultation.
Discover more about our impact around the world here.
