HIV tests that return a result in just minutes will become freely available to gay and bisexual men in Bendigo.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The fortnightly clinic, known as PRONTO!, will deliver finger prick tests – much like those diabetes patients use to monitor blood sugar levels – that can detect cases of HIV acquired 12 weeks or more ago.
Men who visit the clinic will also be screened for other sexually-transmitted infections and a traditional blood test will also be taken to test for HIV acquired acquired more recently.
The testing model was used at Melbourne PRONTO! since 2013 and a one-day trial was carried out in Bendigo this May.
Read more: Dean Beck’s resilient diagnosis
The clinic is a partnership between Bendigo Community Health Services, the Burnet Institute and VACountry, the Bendigo-based regional outpost of the Victorian AIDS Council. VACoutry project officer Harry McAnulty said PRONTO! was unique because it used other gay and bisexual men to deliver the tests.
The peer-to-peer model meant clients could be confident they would not confront discrimination when being screened for STIs.
"In our experience, we hear from a lot of gay and bisexual men that they're afraid to mainstream services, and its because of fear of discrimination and disclosure,” Mr McAnulty said.
The rapid testing announcement coincides with World AIDS Day and Mr McAnulty said December 1 remained an important chance to remember those lost to the blood-borne virus.
“People overseas still don't have acccess to the treatments that we're lucky to have access to here in Australia,” he said.
HIV management strategies have improved since the peak of the crisis, with treatment now able to lower patients’ viral load to an undetectable level. As many as 25,000 Australians are believed to be living with HIV.
A preventative drug, commonly called PrEP, was also available, with thousands of Victorian men currently enrolled in a state government-funded trial. Taken daily, the drug can safeguard against HIV.
To book a PRONTO! appointment, phone BCHS on 5448 1600.
Read more: Reaching out to a ‘generation of orphans’
Mark Kearney
Journalist. Traveller. Pop culture connoisseur. Mark is passionate about education, the arts and social justice, especially stories affecting the LGBTI community.
Journalist. Traveller. Pop culture connoisseur. Mark is passionate about education, the arts and social justice, especially stories affecting the LGBTI community.
