Irish Aids Day is next week and GOSHH are marking it with free rapid HIV tests

Wednesday the 15th of June is Irish national Aids day and in order to mark it Gender Orientation Sexual Health HIV (GOSHH), based in Limerick City, are offering free rapid HIV testing. The group has been engaged in HIV activism since its founding in 1989 and provides much needed support in the Mid-West region for the gay community. It has helped spearheaded the Know Now campaign nationally and by removing the barrier of cost hopes to increase the rate of testing in the gay community.

Ann Mason, Manager of the GOSHH spoke about the importance of testing: “These days HIV is a treatable infection and the sooner someone living with HIV accesses treatment, the sooner the medication will reduce their viral load to undetectable. One of the goals of our testing service will be that everybody living in the Mid-West will get to know their HIV Status and be aware of Sexual Health Services within their locality. It is also important to encourage people to openly discuss their HIV Status with their sexual partner.”

There has been growing concern of late in the republic as new HIV diagnoses have increased by 35% since 2011. A total of 498 people were diagnosed with HIV in 2015, compared with 372 in 2014. To date in 2016, there has been a 42% increase in the number of people being diagnosed with HIV – with 214 new diagnoses, compared to 151 in the same period last year. This increase now translates to an average of 10 people per week being diagnosed with HIV.

GOSHH will be providing the free rapid HIV Tests on Wednesday June 15th at its centre on 18 Davis Street, Limerick. No appointment is necessary and results are available in 60 seconds.

For more information contact GOSHH on 061 314354 or email [email protected]