The testings are currently underway at Scotiabank branches and will conclude at 5 p.m. today June 29, 2012. They are available to everyone living on the islands of Tortola or Virgin Gorda to be educated and tested for the dreadful disease, HIV/ AIDS.

Compliance Officer and Scotia Bank representative for the testing day, Shanika Robin said the day is initially for persons who would like to know there health status in relation to the virus, as well as, to be properly educated on the disease.

She added that the day was introduced and fully supported by Scotiabank after they saw the importance of putting a stop against the stigma and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

“In the past years where initiatives like this were done, they weren’t fully supported by the people of the VI, but when the Ministry of Health partnered with us and we emphasized more on promoting the day on both TV and radio, the day always turned out to be a success from since its birth.”

According to Robin, individuals who visit the branch to be counseled and tested would be instructed on how to put on a condom, the use of a condom, when and where to get tested and how long should one wait to get tested. “There are misconceptions about HIV/AIDS and how you catch it and its prevention.”

In giving a brief history about the day, Robin stated that the day was first introduced in Barbados in 2008. She added that after realizing the success of the day, the Director of Scotia's VI branch and other branches of the Caribbean decided to spread the initiative across the region.

The day was introduced to the Virgin Islands in 2008.

“Scotia Bank BVI came on board and partnered with the Caribbean Broadcast Network (CBN) and PANCAP as well as to liaison with the Ministry of Health to ensure that it is a partnership that will be fruitful.”

She stated that International Testing Day is on June 27, but because of the vast amount of customers in the bank on Fridays, they keep it on the Friday closest to June 27 every year.

National AIDS Programme Coordinator, Nolene Clarke, expressed that she is happy that the day is finally here. “Now the BVI public has the chance to get a free and confidential opportunity to get an AIDS test.”

Regarding the test, she informed this news site that persons interested, will only be subjected to wait 20 minutes for the results, and during that time will be educated further by a certified health facilitator.

Last year, some 170 persons in the VI were tested on Regional Testing day.