The representatives of the “Baylor Marea Neagră” Foundation strive to remove the barriers to knowing the HIV status. As a result, the specialists bring self-testing within the reach of the citizens of Constanta, by adding a new component to the counseling and voluntary testing program, that of HIV self-testing. Anyone interested will be able to book an HIV self-test online and then collect it in person from the foundation’s Center of Clinical Excellence or receive it at home. “After much debate and trial, public health experts have reached a consensus on HIV self-testing: it is a necessary option to encourage testing among the general population. Working with people and practical experience have shown us that the number of people being tested increases when we offer more diagnostic options.
For some people, it is preferable and more convenient to schedule a test at our clinic, in Prelungirea Liliacului street no. 10. For others, it is easier to get to the Baylor Testing Center in polyclinic 1, the outpatient clinic of the County Emergency Clinical Hospital.
Likewise, there are people who prefer to limit their interaction with the medical system, but that should not prevent them from knowing their health status. They have the opportunity to obtain an HIV self-test and use it outside of a testing center. Starting this year, people will find on the website of the «Baylor» Foundation not only the test appointment form, but they will also be able to order an HIV self-test.
We believe that this option will encourage even the most shy or hesitant to find out about their health”, said the executive director of the Baylor Black Sea Foundation, Ana-Maria Schweitzer.
