Image from Twitter @MattHancock
Between 17th and 24th November this year, the UK recognized National HIV Test week. We were thrilled to see so many people getting involved in sharing the message about getting tested! From sexual health professionals and charities, to celebrities and politicians, people from many different backgrounds came together to promote HIV testing as a way of reducing the rates of undiagnosed people and those diagnosed late.
One of our favorite stories from last week was seeing the UK’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock being tested with our very own HIV-1/HIV-2 Rapid Antibody Test. Mr Hancock explained that the test was “quick, easy and pain-free” and he encouraged all of his followers to get tested. This comes two years after Prince Harry took a public HIV test with INSTI in 2016.
The UK’s Department of Health and Social Care say that 1 in 8 people with HIV in the UK are undiagnosed and unaware, threatening their health and their lives. Debbie Laycock, head of policy at a leading HIV charity in the UK, Terence Higgins Trust, said: “It’s hugely significant to have this kind of leadership from the Secretary of State in showing how quick and easy it is to test for HIV to mark National HIV Testing Week.”
Read more on the Daily Mail website.