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SINGAPORE: According to the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Thursday, the number of anonymous HIV tests carried out in Singapore went up by 46 per cent to 8,251 last year, compared to 5,639 in 2005.
Statistics also showed that 30 per cent or 131 out of 423 HIV cases reported last year were detected through anonymous testing.
To encourage more at-risk individuals to go for early HIV testing, MOH is adding four private clinics to its current list of anonymous HIV testing clinics. These clinics will offer anonymous testing from Saturday, November 1.
The four new GP clinics are Dr Jay Medical Centre at 115 Killiney Road, Dr Soh Family Clinic at Block 966 Jurong West St 93, M Lam Clinic at 739 Geylang Road and Robertson Medical Practice at Robertson Walk.
Currently, only three clinics – Anteh Dispensary, Cambridge Clinic and the Action for AIDS Anonymous HIV Testing and Counselling Clinic – offer anonymous HIV testing.
Studies have shown that early testing helps to control the spread of HIV as HIV-positive individuals take steps to protect their partners.
According to MOH, 154 HIV cases (143 males and 11 females) were diagnosed in the first six months of this year – a dip from the 165 cases diagnosed in the same period last year.
More information about HIV and AIDS can be found at the Health Promotion Board website www.hpb.gov.sg/aids.
- CNA/so
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