The National AIDS Secretariat in the Ministry of Health is inviting the general public to show support for persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS by wearing a red top on World AIDS Day, Thursday, December 01, 2016. Residents can also take part in a “Hands Up” for Prevention selfie photo-shoot. This involves writing a practical HIV prevention method on one palm, raising that hand and taking a selfie with the palm showing one way in which HIV can be prevented. Selfies should be sent to sk.healthpromounit@gmail.com. The most creative photos will be sent to the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) Unit and will be published in the organisation’s regional newsletter.
National Testing Day also takes place on Thursday, December 01 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Ministry of Health’s Parking Lot at Bladen Commercial Development, across from the St. Kitts Co-operative Credit Union Headquarters. Persons who arrive for their test in red tops and who have taken part in the “Hands Up” for Prevention Selfie photo-shoot will be given a free water bottle.
Persons who attend the Condom Drive scheduled for the next day, in a red top and have taken part in the “Hands Up” for Prevention Selfie photo-shoot will be given a free “Mardi Gras” condom pouch. The Condom Drive takes place between 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Independence Square.