HIV SELF-TESTING KITS AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE AT SELECTED RETAIL PHARMACIES FROM END JANUARY 2025

             As part of the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) efforts to enhance access to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing within the community and encourage regular testing, HIV self-testing kits will be available for purchase at selected retail pharmacies nationwide and Action for AIDS (AfA) by end-January 2025. 

2.             HIV self-testing was piloted at the Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections Control (DSC) Clinic and AfA from August 2022 to complement the existing testing modalities. The pilot had demonstrated the acceptability, safety and effective use of HIV self-testing, and encouraged the uptake of HIV testing among those who had never previously tested for HIV. 

3.              Knowing one’s HIV status enables one to receive treatment early and prevent others from getting infected. The only way to know one’s HIV status is to be tested. However, in Singapore, a large proportion of newly detected HIV cases had late-stage infection at the time of diagnosis, with 51.2% of cases detected in late-stage infection in 2023, 51.5% in 2022 and 62.0% in 2021. The proportion detected through self-initiated HIV testing was also relatively low, with 15% of such cases in 2023, 17% in 2022 and 16% in 2021.

HIV Diagnosis and Support

 4.              HIV self-testing is a quick and convenient way to learn one’s HIV status. The kits can be used independently in a private setting and involve self-collection of oral specimens using a swab. Links to instructional videos in local languages will be provided with the testing kits. Information on HIV and hotlines for pre- and post-test counselling will be available at AfA and the retail pharmacies where self-testing kits are available for sale.

 5.             The results of a single rapid diagnostic test such as the HIV self-testing kit is not sufficient to make a diagnosis of HIV infection. Individuals who test positive on the self-testing kits should receive further confirmatory testing from a healthcare provider and be referred for treatment. If the test result is negative but the individual has had a recent unprotected sexual exposure or is at a higher risk of HIV infection, it may take up to three months to develop antibodies to HIV that will be detected on the testing kits. Repeat HIV testing is advisable. Users are advised to follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely, or to seek advice from a healthcare provider.

 6.              No matter the test result, support is available. Those who wish to speak to someone about HIV, require sexual health-related information or counselling, are advised to contact the DSC Clinic at 1800 252 1324 and/or AfA at 6254 0212.

 7.             MOH and the Health Promotion Board recommend that every adult should get tested at least once in their lifetime regardless of risk factors. Individuals who engage in high-risk sexual behaviours should go for regular HIV testing every three to six months. Those at higher risk of HIV infection should test more frequently and see a healthcare provider to discuss options for preventive measures and testing.

 8.             HIV can be treated effectively with modern HIV medicine or antiretroviral therapy. With early and effective treatment, people living with HIV can lead lives no different from others. They can also protect their sexual partner from infection, if they are on regular treatment and have a stable undetectable viral load.

 Public Advisory

9.             The most effective way to prevent HIV infection is to remain abstinent or faithful to one’s spouse/partner and to avoid casual sex, or sex with sex workers. Individuals engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour, such as having multiple sexual partners or engaging in casual or commercial sex, are strongly advised to use condoms to reduce their risk of infection by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms should be used consistently and correctly during every sexual encounter. In addition, the use of preventive measures like HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis are highly effective when used as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy.

 10.          For more information about HIV and AIDS, including testing locations, visit https://www.moh.gov.sg/diseases-updates/hiv and https://go.gov.sg/preventhiv. Alternatively, please refer to https://gowhere.gov.sg/sexualhealth  to locate the nearest clinic for HIV testing services or retail pharmacy to purchase HIV self-testing kits.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

30 NOVEMBER 2024

Note: The HIV statistics in paragraph 3 have been updated for factual accuracy on 2 December 2024.