The government announced today it is making free HIV self-test kits available to the general public at 23 locations in the province. The self-tests can be done at home, provide preliminary results in just one minute and only require a bit of blood from your finger tip.

When HIV is diagnosed and treated early, people can live longer and healthier lives. Knowing quickly if you have HIV also allows you to take precautions against spreading the virus to others.

Health Minister Paul Merriman says, “We have seen the clear benefits of having quick and easy access to at home testing options.”

Health officials say in just the first few weeks of this program, there has already been a high uptake, with over 70 HIV self-test kits already provided to members of the public since distribution began in January.

The government suggests everyone between the ages of 13 and 70 should be tested for HIV every five years, and more often if sexually active, sharing drug use equipment or pregnant.