HIV testing services are called secret because the client does not need to provide identity and test results will be kept confidential by officers. Timing is also done at night and vans will be parked in secret.
These vans are equipped with facilities to perform HIV testing and syphilis, which will be carried by two specially trained officers. Van will be parked in secret, where the entrance will not be shown publicly.
Clients need not linger waiting for the results, just 20 minutes. Clients also do not have to mention the identity such as name and address. While in the van, the client will be given a serial number for registration before an HIV test.
If positive results are found, the client will be recommended to undergo a complete blood test at a clinic. Counseling and risk assessment will also be conducted.
"This service will be easily accessible because the tests can be performed at irregular hours (irregular) as opposed to standard hours in the clinic. The time is unique, ie, at night, at midnight or even weekends. With the van is expected to increase the opportunity for to want to do an HIV test, "said Anwar Hashim, manager of the Mobile Testing Service, as reported by Chinadaily, Friday (12/09/2011).
Organization of Action for AIDS (AFA) in Singapore to launch HIV testing vans hope this service will be able to reverse the low levels of HIV testing in Singapore. Early diagnosis is considered a key to reducing the spread of the virus, because the rate of voluntary testing is still low in Singapore. The activists have also called for efforts to reduce stigma against those infected with HIV.
"We need to bring services to the community rather than asking them to get to the clinic and perform your own tests. This service is to make HIV testing more accessible," said Roy Tan, president of Action for AIDS.
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