The Health Secretariat of the Government of the Federal District (SES-DF) carried out, on the morning of this Monday (1st), a mobilization to carry out rapid testing of the HIV virus and provide guidance to the population on sexually transmitted infections and AIDS, accompanied by the free distribution of condoms and lubricants.
The initiative marks World Day to Fight the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the beginning of Red December.
The person responsible for the Testing and Counseling Center (NTA) of the Department of Health, Jaqueline Marques, highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment.
“We left the four walls and came to a place with high circulation so that more people have access to testing, which is free”, he explains.
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The manager values the work of healthcare professionals. “Prevention and information are important for people to remove the stigma, the fear of taking the test. Today, no one dies from HIV anymore. If you find out [a infecção]treatment begins. An infected person can have an excellent quality of life and not even develop AIDS”, maintained Jaqueline.
The action had the support of several institutions from civil society and academia, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs): Amigos da Vida, GPS FoundationInstituto Ipês and collective Drag District.
The artist Avellaskis understands that the issue of HIV/AIDS is not restricted to LGBTQIAP+ people and sex workers. “Generally, people who have easy access to sex take more care of themselves than people who are at home and have been married for 30 years. But it is everyone’s duty to take care of themselves”, reinforces the drag queen.
Drag queen Bella Avellaskis says that “those who have easy access to sex take more care than those at home” – Photo – Fabio Rodrigues-Pozzebom/ Agência Brasil
As a representative of Drag DistrictAvellaskis valued the initiative to bring the population closer to talking openly about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
“People are not used to debating this important issue. So, an action like this makes it lighter and removes the stigma and fear about knowing whether or not you have HIV. If you do, nowadays there are several treatments. Those who don’t have it will have access to free condoms.”
Fast and free testing
The person who didn’t miss the opportunity to take the free test was veterinarian Juliana Mendes, 25 years old, even without having prior knowledge of the mobilization.
“This is the path of my work and I found this action incredible, because, many times, people don’t leave home with the intention of taking an HIV test. Therefore, I think it’s interesting to convince people to stop for a minute in their routine to take the test”, he highlighted.
Receptionist Iraídis Bezerra da Costa e Silva saw the concentration of people in the Southern Commercial Sector (SCS) of Brasília and was moved by curiosity and the desire to take precautions.
“Nobody knows what life is like inside or out. So, I think it’s very important to have these campaigns.” Iraídis provided a drop of blood for rapid screening testing, which can detect the presence of the virus in around 20 minutes.
Motorcyclist Josué dos Santos, who works as a water meter reader at the public company responsible for basic sanitation in the Federal District, preferred to do the HIV self-test at home, for the first time. At SCS, he received guidance on how to use his own saliva in the equipment to perform the test.
“I’ve had my steady partner for three years. But whoever doesn’t, [como] single people should always be aware of what is happening in their body, if they have any illness, for example.”
Service in Brasilia
For people who missed this Monday’s mobilization, the Brasília Testing and Counseling Center (CTA) regularly offers free tests for various Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), specific treatment and individualized monitoring of infected people.
· Location: Center for Infectious Diseases (Cedin), Entrequadra Sul (EQS) 508/509 – Asa Sul.
· Blood collection: from 7am to 11am and from 1pm to 5pm;
· Opening hours for other services: 7am to 12pm.
