Self-testing for HIV/AIDS

Progress in prevention; a new lease on life with antiretroviral therapy

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Wed. Apr. 29, 2026

   Antiretroviral therapy has offered a new lease on life to persons who test positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that can lead to full blown Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which was once considered a death sentence before the year 2000. But new pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication has proven itself 99 percent, highly effective in preventing infection for people who engage in unprotected sex.

   The next step is self-testing kits, which anyone concerned about their health can order to have discreetly delivered to their home. The test only requires a pinprick of blood; the kit tests for antibodies in the blood and yields a result in 20 minutes, with no one else the wiser. Dr. Marvin Manzanero of the Ministry of Health and Wellness advises that anyone concerned about their risk of HIV infection, because of their lifestyle and sexual behaviour, should also get a proper PCR test done to verify the results if the self-testing kit yields a positive result, because the rapid antibody test is not that sensitive, or conclusive.

   The latest pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication, either a daily oral pill or a long-acting injectable medication, can prevent HIV infection for a person who is HIV-negative to begin with, and who wishes to remain free of HIV. Persons who fear their sexual partners offer a high risk of HIV exposure can have access to a longer acting drug through their doctor or a sexual health clinic, to be injected by a healthcare provider: cabotegravir (also known as Apretude) offers protection for 2 months, or the longer acting lenacapavir, which offers protection for 6 months, requiring only 2 injections per year. These drugs do have potential side effects of nausea, headache, or diarrhea, which usually go away.

   These are the options which doctors from the International AIDS Society (IAS) discussed in detail to inform all interested parties, when the Ministry of Health and Wellness partnered with the National AIDS Commission (NAC) and the IAS Educational Fund to host a symposium at the Grand Resort and Residencies in Belize City on Wednesday, April 29.

   Educating the public is key to achieving the UNAIDS’ “95-95-95” targets to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. The Health ministry is working with UNAIDS and the National AIDS Commission to ensure that 95% of people living with HIV know their status by 2025, when 95% of those diagnosed should be receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on treatment are virally suppressed.

   Dr. Moti Ramgopal, of the Midway Specialty Care Centers of the USA, discussed self-testing for those who need to know their HIV status fast, before the first panel discussion featured the hero of the COVID-19 pandemic – Dr. Marvin Manzanero, who discussed the effectiveness of prophylaxis with lenacapavir, with Dr. Orlean Cus of the Belize Family Life Association and Dr. Ramgopal. Ruth Jaramillo of the National Health Insurance has been advocating for AIDS prevention for 23 years and served as moderator.

   Dr. Mariana Ancona discussed Accelerating Innovative Interventions in Prevention and how Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) can reduce viral loads so low in HIV-positive persons, that they are undetectable, and how it could reduce the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission in pregnant women, reducing the risk by 67.5 percent.

   Lizet Aldana of the NAC moderated a 2nd panel in which Jaheem Middleton of Go Joven, youth advocate Raheema Hafiya of St. John’s Junior College, and Ferdy Cabb of the ministry joined Dr. Ancona to discuss how pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can prevent HIV infection for those concerned about their risk of exposure.

   In a 2nd session, Dr. Kristcha DeGuerre of Galen University, Martine King of Mind Health Connect Belize, and Ines Cano of Western Regional Hospital discussed the role of mental health in HIV response, the importance of confidentiality and trust between doctor and patient, and how substance abuse may impact the outcome.