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Swaziland: Tobias Undergoes HIV Testing MATSAPHA, Swaziland, August 23, 2005 U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Randall Tobias received voluntary HIV counseling and testing from a PSI New Start center supported by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief during a visit here in July. The Ambassador's public test was meant to impress the people of Swaziland with the ease and importance of testing. PSI has been implementing VCT programs since 1999 and currently operates programs in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia. In 2004, VCT centers in those programs tested 335,000 clients. Ambassador Tobias and representatives from Swaziland's Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, USAID, CDC and the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator spent an hour touring the center and PSI offices. Dr. John Kunene, principal secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, was also counseled and tested. "This is a very good example of the kind of national leadership required to turn the tide against HIV/AIDS in terms of setting an example for the people of Swaziland to follow, and I commend the principal secretary for his action," Tobias said. Tobias volunteered to be tested in the presence of the media though PSI is normally very strict about maintaining confidentiality and anonymity. Tobias highlighted the unusual circumstances of his public testing in order to allay any confidentiality concerns. "This test is something that is done in a totally and completely confidential way, so nobody other than the person being tested would know the result. And people should know that this kind of test is quick and easy, and anyone getting tested for HIV/AIDS can rely on complete anonymity and confidentiality, as well as considerable support in terms of counseling." The ambassador was walked through an actual pre- and post-test counseling
session by PSI/Swaziland Network Manager Victoria Masuku. Later, members
of the press were permitted to observe the blood being drawn from Tobias.
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