TODAY is National Testing Day. The third Friday of every November is National Testing Day. This is Guyana’s second National Testing Day. The 1st National Testing Day last year was highly successful. We had established a goal of testing 1,000 persons that day. We succeeded in testing more than 1,200 persons. This year, we wanted to be more ambitious. Thus, we have set ourselves a target of 2,500. I am confident we would achieve our target.

This year our theme is DON’T TAKE CHANCES TAKE THE TEST. I believe that Guyana has reached the stage where large numbers of Guyanese have seen the wisdom of not taking chances and they are taking the test. But still less than 20% of us know our HIV status. Each Guyanese need to know our status. I am proud as Minister of Health that I know my status. And that is why on this Testing Day I am again in the position to say to all my sisters and brothers: Do you know your status?

If we know our HIV status, we can ensure that early treatment and care permit a person to live productive and longer lives. There are treatment options and we can obtain these for free in Guyana.

Importantly, we can prevent HIV. I am encouraged by the many NGOs and faith-based organizations that have joined us this year. I am elated at the number of public sector entities that have joined us and I am delighted by the response of the private sector.

Guyana has emerged united in the fight against HIV. Very rarely, can a country boast of public leaders taking the lead in testing. Guyana’s leaders are taking the test publicly.

Now it is a chance for all Guyanese to do so. Don’t take chances. Take the test.