Free And Confidential Community-Led HIV Testing Will Be Available During EuroPride
Community-led HIV testing will be available and provided free of charge to anyone during two days of EuroPride 2023, organised by Checkpoint Malta together with the Sexual Health Group.
1. Tuesday 12th
When and where?
Testing will be available from 5pm to 8pm in Floriana and Valletta.
2. Thursday 14th September
When and where?
Testing will be available from 5pm to 8pm in Floriana and Valletta, and from 4pm to 7pm in Victoria, Gozo.
The Malta testing sessions will take place at the KNŻ offices in Floriana on the 12th September and at the Valletta Volunteer Centre on the 14th September.
The Gozo sessions are taking place at The JAM Project in Victoria, Gozo on the 14th September.
“Testing is free, confidential, and fast with results in 20 minutes,” organisers said, with testing carried out by trained, non-judgemental volunteers in safe, community-based spaces. Fast track referrals and counselling will be organised when necessary.
Places are limited and booking is recommended. Bookings can be made via e-mail on [email protected].
It is recommended that all sexually active adults get regularly tested.
Early detection of HIV infection is ideal as people can go on treatment to protect their immune system. With treatment, people can reduce the amount of HIV in their body to an undetectable viral load, which also means that they cannot transmit the virus to their sexual partners.
This is known as U=U, Undetectable = Untransmittable.
The normalisation of regular testing for HIV and other STIs helps reduce stigma and helps in reducing transmission rates.
For more information, visit the Checkpoint Malta Facebook page.
Lovin Malta teamed up with ARC and Christian Vincent to ask the Maltese public: would you hug an HIV+ man? Check out the eye-opening results below.
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