Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
Daily Yomiuri (12.23.2004) - Wednesday, December 29, 2004
In 1993, with infections surging, public health centers began offering free, anonymous HIV tests. All 23 Tokyo wards, and metropolitan, prefectural, and municipal governments with populations exceeding 300,000, offer the tests. At first, testing was only available during business hours, and results took one to two weeks. Gradually, governments began offering testing after office hours or on weekends and national holidays. When certain local governments began offering rapid testing last year, the number of people seeking HIV tests skyrocketed.
The ministry survey showed that 14 prefectural and municipal governments have introduced the rapid test, with 15 other local governments planning to follow suit next fiscal year. Sixty-three local governments offer testing in the evenings, according to the survey, and 27 offer tests on weekends and national holidays.
However, the survey revealed, 43 prefectural and municipal governments provide neither the rapid test nor extended testing hours, exposing significant differences in HIV testing services among local governments.
"We understand the difficulties each local government has, but growth in the number of people infected with HIV is becoming very serious," said a ministry official. "It's very important for each local government to prepare a service that makes it easier to have an HIV test anywhere in the country, so that as many people as possible get tested."
041229
AD042625
Copyright © 2004 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
.