Home-testing kits could help reduce levels of undetected HIV in the Isle of Man.
That’s the view of the newly-formed HIV Support Group which has welcomed the UK government’s announcement that it is to legalise and regulate HIV self-testing kits from 2014 – and is urging the Manx Government’s Department of Health to follow suit.
Tony, of the HIV Support Group, said: ‘The self-testing kits would be a good idea but access to counselling prior to the use of these kits would also be necessary as part of a greater awareness and education of HIV – something that has been lacking in the Isle of Man so far.’
‘The Health Minister seems to ignore this matter and in his previous role as Education Minister blocked and continues to block safe sex messages – and this comes down to his much publicised religious view point.’
Director of public health Dr Parameswaran Kishore said: ‘Many people are still unhappy about going and getting tested. Hopefully these kits will lead to more people testing themselves. But at this stage we don’t know the full details of what is being announced.’
He said the Minister would follow the advice of the clinical recommendation committee.
