In December, 2017, the Ministry of Health launched self-testing HIV kits in a bid to encourage more Rwandans to find out their HIV status. A second phase of the programme is now underway and more kits will be procured and distributed at a lower price to make them easily accessible. Sharon Kantengwa finds out what Rwandans think of the self-testing HIV kits.

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It is a good move but there is more to just testing. We should also consider how people are likely to take in the news of their HIV status. Some of them might take it as it is while others might freak out. At AHF, we have been mobilising for these testing kits and we want to be able to give these kits for free, to encourage HIV testing although we intend to also provide training to the distributors to avoid abuse of the kits and also prepare people for their results so that they can be encouraged to go for counselling.

Etienne Hakizimana, the Prevention and Testing Coordinator at AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Rwanda  -----

The self- testing HIV kit is good for confidentiality of the person testing and also good for time management as people can plan their time for testing and do it from anywhere other than waste time at health centres. Its downside however is that the price of these kits is still high for some individuals and hopefully the government will come up with a plan to have them distributed in public health centres. Additionally, self-testing is risky because accepting results might be a challenge to some people and it would therefore be simpler when done at a health facility with trained personnel who can provide counseling.

Ernest Nyirinkindi, Head of information, education and behavioural change communication, Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) -----

There are people who are still treating people who are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS  like they have been given a death sentence. That’s why you find that some people are still afraid to know their status.  If an individual is not convinced of the importance of knowing his or her status, self-testing would still not be used. First, we need more sensitisation on the importance of knowing our status before we can be able  to test by ourselves.

Brenda Mukansuro, medical student -----

Kits should only be provided to individuals who can demonstrate that they fully understand the procedures involved and would be ready to attend post-test counselling. Alternatively, individuals who decline HIV testing in the clinic can be offered a self-testing kit to take away. Rather than simply make the kits available, their use can be introduced by counsellors.

Christine Uwitonze, public health worker