During HIV Testing Week, which begins Monday, February 6, people are encouraged to take a quick and easy HIV test and receive their results in a matter of minutes.
The council is supporting the week to emphasise the importance of regular testing in order to reduce the number of people living with HIV who are undiagnosed or are diagnosed too late. The sooner someone with HIV begins treatment, the better their health will be, and they will be less likely to spread the virus to others.
Throughout the week, the charities Aids Health Foundation (AHF) and KwaAfrica will provide rapid HIV testing at various local locations:
CVA Resource Centre, 82 London Road, CR0 2TB, Monday, February 6, 12pm-4pm (opposite Lidl)
Carers Support Centre, 24 George Street, CR0 1PB, Wednesday, February 8th, 5pm-7pm (walk-in or book at freeHIVtest.uk)
CVA Resource Centre, 82 London Road, CR0 2TB, Thursday, 9 February, 1pm – 5pm (opposite Lidl)
Sunday, February 12th, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Uganda Croydon Catholic Community (UCCC) event at St Chad’s Catholic Church Hall, Burgoyne Road, SE25 6XN (behind the church)
On those dates, Croydon BME Forum and other organisations will collaborate with charities to provide people with health and wellbeing advice and information.
On Monday, 13 February, 10am-3pm, AHF, KwaAfrica, and Croydon Health Services NHS Trust will host an information event to commemorate International Condom Day at Boots Pharmacy, 2-18 Whitgift Centre, CR9 1SN.
Free self-test kits are available from AHF at freeHIVtest.uk and freetesting.hiv at any time. People can also get tested on a regular basis at sexual health clinics, general practitioners, and HIV and sexual health charities. Anyone diagnosed with HIV in the United Kingdom is eligible for free treatment and care.
This year’s testing week campaign theme is ‘I Test,’ which explores the various reasons for testing, whether it’s to help you live your life regardless of the outcome, or to be part of the generation that ends HIV.
“We are encouraging residents to use this opportunity during HIV Testing Week to get tested so that you can receive early and effective treatment if needed,” said Councillor Yvette Hopley, cabinet member for health and adult social care. Anyone can get a confidential HIV test at one of Croydon’s community testing sites. At the events, you will also find information and support to help you take care of your health and protect yourself and others from illness.”
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