Red December: SPA and Policlínica José Lins intensify HIV / AIDS testing measures

The unit highlights that the Testing and Counseling Center has conducted more than 2,500 rapid tests for STDs in 2022

Referring to the Red December campaign, the Emergency Service (SPA) and Dr. José Lins, a unit of the State Secretariat of Health (SES-AM), on Wednesday (12/07), implemented an action to alert about the importance of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of HIV / AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases ( STDs).

The teams of the unit’s Testing and Counseling Center (CTA) have intensified the performance of rapid tests to identify HIV, syphilis and viral hepatitis (B and C), which are provided free of charge to the population. In addition, patients and caregivers received information materials and guidance on sexually transmitted diseases, and combating AIDS-related bias and stigma.

The unit’s director, Rosanna Silva, emphasized that the campaign aims to reinforce the necessity of infection prevention and virus control, in addition to highlighting the work done in the CTA for early screening and diagnosis.

“CTA is an essential tool for people with HIV, syphilis and viral hepatitis, because they are often carriers of the virus, but they don’t know it because they don’t show symptoms. We work on the diagnosis and refer the patient to the reference center, where treatment will begin to ensure the patient’s quality of life. said the director.

Testing center

The clinic’s testing center provides counseling services with a psychologist, social worker, nursing, and follow-up guidance in the health network for positive cases, with the aim of promoting the importance of early diagnosis, access to treatment, and adherence to it. During 2022, the site conducted a total of 2,735 tests for sexually transmitted diseases, of which only 82 tested positive.

Tests can be taken by persons over the age of 18 and minors accompanied by parents or guardians, requiring a SUS card and identification document. Counseling is also done before and after the exam, and a conversation is held with professionals before and after the exams to follow up and guide cases.

other units

In addition to the Policlínica Gilberto Mestrinho, the state health network offers tests at the Policlínica Antonio Aleixo, in the eastern region; at the Alfredo da Mata Hospital Foundation (Fuham), in Cachoirinha, Southern District; in the CTA of the Aged Care Center (Caimi) Ada Viana, in Compensa, Western Region; and at the Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado Foundation for Tropical Medicine (FMT-HVD), Midwest.

In primary care, testing is carried out in primary health care units (UBS) in the capital and the interior.