DH launches HIV Testing Service website

The Department of Health (DH) yesterday (Nov. 20) launched a new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Testing Service website (www.hivtest.gov.hk) to further enable members of the public access to testing for HIV infection.

Starting from today, the new website has replaced the original AIDS Hotline website (www.27802211.com). In addition to the existing feature to make reservations for AIDS Counselling and Testing Service (ACTS), the new website provides an enhanced function for ordering HIV self-test kits, so as to provide members of the public with convenience in undergoing HIV tests.

A DH spokesman said, "HIV testing is critical for AIDS prevention, treatment and care. HIV testing facilitates early detection of HIV-infected people, and early treatment prolongs survival and improves quality of life. Sexual transmission remains the major mode of HIV transmission. Members of the public with a history of unsafe sex should take an HIV antibody test early. Key populations with a higher risk of infection should undergo regular HIV screening, while people who had sex but do not belong to these key populations should consider getting tested at least once."

The HIV self-test kits offered on the HIV Testing Service website include oral fluid-based and blood-based (fingerprick) testing kits. The testing kits can be collected at various pick-up locations in Hong Kong. During registration, members of the public will only need to provide a mobile phone number and an email address for receiving messages, which will be kept confidential. When ordering a test kit, each registered user is required to make a payment on hold of HK$130 which will be canceled once the test result is uploaded to the website within 14 days of placing orders. Registered users only need to settle the delivery fee.

Furthermore, the HIV Testing Service website will continue to provide information on HIV/AIDS testing, prevention and treatment, as well as allow reservations to be made for AIDS Counselling and Testing Service with a clear and user-friendly webpage. To further publicize information on AIDS to members of the public (including ethnic minorities), the website offers an abridged version of HIV/AIDS information available in six languages. Members of the public are most welcome to visit the website.