AHF’s First Central American Summit on Rapid HIV Detection Tests a Success
‘Proyecto Condomovil,’ AHF’s Innovative Five Country Prevention and Testing Road Trip Kicks Off from Transmetro’s Central Station at Conclusion of Summit
April 30, 2009
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the major provider of comprehensive HIV services in the United States, with a presence in more than 20 countries around the world, including many in the Americas, hosted the “1st Central American Summit on Rapid HIV Detection Tests,” at the Hotel Princess in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on April 27 and 28, 2009.
Specialists on the topic of various Governmental and Non-Governmental International Organizations from all the countries of Central America, as well as Colombia and Chile participated. “This conference served as an opportunity for the participants to have a panoramic view of the usefulness of rapid testing as one of the best forms of prevention and early detection in our communities,” said Dr. Patricia Campos, Bureau Chief/Latin America for AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and one of the principal organizers of the conference. “Recognized experts in this area shared their experiences and we discussed the successful experiences in the implementation of new community models in the application of Rapid Tests in some countries.” 
AIDS Healthcare Foundation also presented opportunities for expansion, resources, and infrastructure, and talked about collaboration agreements which can be established to implement specific projects in each country.
“Following our Summit, many stakeholders and Central American public health officials now believe that AHF’s HIV testing and prevention model is an effective and cost-efficient way to go,” added Dr. Campos. “Many of the participating countries have arranged for the arrival of the CondoMovil—AHF’s innovative HIV prevention and condom distribution van—and each 
participating country will have all preparations ready for its arrival. An HIV testing fair that we hosted in conjunction with our Rapid HIV Testing Summit also went well. It was held in Guatemala City’s busiest Metro Bus station. 200 free HIV tests were performed in about one hour, with one individual found to be positive and this result was confirmed with a second follow up HIV test using a different testing technology.” Para espanol oprima aqui
About AHF
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the nation’s largest non-profit HIV/AIDS organization. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 100,000 individuals in 21 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia. Additional information is available at www.aidshealth.org.
