BY MUWANGA DEO: Ministry of Health this week launched an oral HIV self-test kit aimed at empowering citizens, especially men to carry out HIV testing.
The initiative aimed at reducing new HIV/Aids infections by 2020 is an oral HIV test kit dubbed, OraQuick HIV self-test, a product of Orasure technologies, targeting young people aged 18 to 24 years, men and priority populations such as sex workers.
Initially, the self-test kits available involve the use of blood to detect the HIV, however, with oral HIV self-test kit, oral fluids are involved.
The test works by detecting antibodies, the body’s natural defenders against infection. If one is infected with HIV, these antibodies will be present in your blood and also in the salivia. The test will detect the antibodies in the mouth.
Dr Diana Atwine, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, said this is timely and will enhance the fight against HIV/Aids.
