The HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, Cap. 431 has been amended to allow HIV Self-Testing. The amendment came amidst the World Aids day celebrated every 01st December. According to the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendment) (No. 7) Act, 2019 the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, Cap. 431 was amended in November 2019 to allow HIV self-test.
According to the amendment, the new Section 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D and 16E have been added to provide for the HIV self-testing, the procedures for undertaking HIV Self-testing, responsibilities of persons providing or distributing self-test kits, quality of self-test kits as well as methods of HIV self-testing. It is important to note that, according to the amendment, person bellow 18 years are prohibited to undertake self-testing of provided with self-test kits. Also, the law requires HIV Self testing must be voluntary, the results of the testing should be confirmed by authorized HIV Test health facility and test kits must be disposed of in a proper manner.
