Better access to HIV screening with self-test kits at selected pharmacies

209 new HIV cases in Singapore in 2023, with total number of infections at 9,540

- Shermaine Ang

HIV self-testing kits will be available for sale at selected Guardian and Watsons pharmacies by the end of January 2025, as part of efforts by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to encourage regular testing within the community.

With the introduction of such kits, individuals will now have greater access to HIV testing and the option to test themselves in the comfort and privacy of their own homes, without the fear of stigma, Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary said on Nov 30.

"This initiative goes beyond the addition of another testing modality in our fight against HIV. It empowers individuals to take charge of their own health, and it reinforces the idea that early detection is crucial for the initiation of treatment," he added.

Dr Janil was speaking at the 14th edition of the Singapore Aids Conference organised by non-governmental organisation Action for Aids Singapore (AfA Singapore).

In 2023, 209 new cases of HIV infections were reported among Singapore residents. The total number of HIV-infected Singapore residents stood at 9,540 as at the end of 2023, of whom 2,457 have died.

The initiative to introduce HIV self-testing started as a pilot programme in 2022 led by the National HIV Programme, with community partners AfA and the Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections Control (DSC) Clinic.

"In that process, HIV self-testing has been shown to be safe, to be effective and to be widely accepted among the key populations and the general public," said Dr Janil.

The OraQuick HIV Self-Test Kit is also on sale on National Skin Centre Pharmacy's website at $21.85. The kits will have an oral swab for detecting the body's natural antibodies, and results can be obtained after at least 20 minutes.