Post by HER on Mar 1, 2003 0:25:19 GMT -5
Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center for HIV/AIDS to be inaugurated
Monday
28 February, 2003 - Belmopan
On Monday, March 3rd, 2003, the Ministry of Health will formally
inaugurate its first “Voluntary Counseling and Testing
Center”, to be housed in a building located on the compound of the
Cleopatra White Health Center on Princess Margaret Drive.
The center is a pilot project in the Belize District that will
initially provide comprehensive treatment for 200 Belizeans, when they
satisfy the criteria, who are suffering from HIV/AIDS. The project will
shortly be extended to the Stann Creek District since that district has
the second highest absolute number of HIV infections.
Belizeans visiting the center will receive pre-test counseling
before the extraction of a blood sample. For HIV testing. They will
then receive post-test counseling as the tests results are available.
Those who test negative for the presence of HIV will be given
counseling that include messages to support behavioral change to
preserve their negative status.
Those who test positive for the presence of HIV fall into one of
three categories: those not requiring immediate treatment with
anti-retroviral (medications against HIV); those requiring treatment and
those who are in the terminal phase of the disease.
Persons testing positive for the presence of HIV will receive
psycho-social-emotional support. They are then referred for a complete
physical exam and based on their CD4 levels (their immune system) and
clinical status, a determination will be made as to when anti-retroviral
treatment provided by center would begin.
Monday
28 February, 2003 - Belmopan
On Monday, March 3rd, 2003, the Ministry of Health will formally
inaugurate its first “Voluntary Counseling and Testing
Center”, to be housed in a building located on the compound of the
Cleopatra White Health Center on Princess Margaret Drive.
The center is a pilot project in the Belize District that will
initially provide comprehensive treatment for 200 Belizeans, when they
satisfy the criteria, who are suffering from HIV/AIDS. The project will
shortly be extended to the Stann Creek District since that district has
the second highest absolute number of HIV infections.
Belizeans visiting the center will receive pre-test counseling
before the extraction of a blood sample. For HIV testing. They will
then receive post-test counseling as the tests results are available.
Those who test negative for the presence of HIV will be given
counseling that include messages to support behavioral change to
preserve their negative status.
Those who test positive for the presence of HIV fall into one of
three categories: those not requiring immediate treatment with
anti-retroviral (medications against HIV); those requiring treatment and
those who are in the terminal phase of the disease.
Persons testing positive for the presence of HIV will receive
psycho-social-emotional support. They are then referred for a complete
physical exam and based on their CD4 levels (their immune system) and
clinical status, a determination will be made as to when anti-retroviral
treatment provided by center would begin.