Tulefel: I have an impression that people find this topic inconvenient for discussion, HIV and AIDS often associated with homosexuals and narcotics, and therefore it’s nothing for “normal” people to discuss. There will be no screening on national level until the majority changes its attitude. And again, there still will be people (the very poor, homeless, addicts, illegal emigrants) not covered by a national programme, and often it’s these people who need this kind of screening more than anyone else.
Here in the Virgin Islands, there is a high ratio of about one in eight persons being HIV positive. We have a lot of immigrants from all over the Caribbean, such as Haiti, where HIV is overwhelming. We have free screening offered everywhere on these islands, including bi-annual health checkups at work. Everyone has to Voluntarily get tested.