Health News
2006-11-14
Hawaii governor
vows to push for faster HIV tests
In her first
appearance since winning reelection, Hawaii governor Linda
Lingle said she would push for establishing rapid,
In her first
appearance since winning reelection, Hawaii governor Linda
Lingle said she would push for establishing rapid,
on-the-spot HIV testing, reports the Honolulu
Star-Bulletin.
"The work to
ensure rapid HIV testing moves forward is something I
have only recently become aware of," Lingle said Tuesday at
a Life Foundation open house. "You have my commitment
to make sure this occurs. Now that I am aware, I will
pay closer attention and put in a call to the attorney
general about this issue."
The chief of the
STD/AIDS prevention branch of the state's health
department, Peter Whiticar, told the Star-Bulletin in
June that the department advocated the quick arrival
of the rapid test for HIV prevention. Adoption of the
testing has been delayed because of the administrative
process and laboratory clearances, he said.
The current
testing procedure involves blood collection and analysis by
a lab, with turnaround for results being two weeks,
the newspaper reported.
The OraQuick
test, which uses a swab to collect oral fluids, is what
HIV/AIDS prevention advocates are pushing for. Life
Foundation says that many people do not return weeks
after the initial test to receive the results,
creating a need for a fast turnaround in order to counsel
test takers immediately. (The Advocate)
Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter.
Page 1 of 1