Health and Cesida launch free, at-home HIV self-testing service that delivers results in 20 minutes

In Spain in 2023, more than 48.6% of new diagnoses were late and 7.5% of people with HIV do not know they have the infection. The Ministry of Health and Cesida, the state coordinator for HIV and AIDS, have launched a new service Free HIV self-testing at homeThe aim is to make HIV testing easier to access, allowing anyone to get tested confidentially, at a place and time they prefer. The process is easy and simple, according to Health.

After accessing the enVIHos program website, the interested party must answer simple anonymous questionnairewhere information is collected to understand the motivation for taking the test through this platform, and subsequently you must indicate the address where you want to receive it. Then one of the cooperating pharmacies will send the test to the specified address between 3-5 days.

After receiving the test, the user receives Cesida resources that, using the information card included in the self-test package, explain what to do in case of reactivity test how you can request help and receive support from organizations throughout this process.

Late diagnoses

The test consists of self-diagnostic package is designed to detect the presence of HIV without the need for prior medical knowledge. It can be of two types. The first is saliva test: A sample of oral fluid was taken. The second, and puncture test: A blood sample is taken. Both tests provide results in as little as 20 minutes. Users should follow specific instructions and recommendations included with the product to ensure accurate results.

To ensure that everyone has access to self-testing, limit of four free tests per person per year. This initiative, as explained by the Ministry of Health, aims to remove barriers to access to HIV testing in areas where public resources are lacking, promoting early diagnosis and strengthening public health.

Pharmacy offices

Coordination of the agreement depends on the Ministry’s Office for the Control of HIV, STIs, Viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis, which acts as a link between companies producing self-diagnosis products, companies distributors and pharmacies.

The department, headed by Mónica García, hopes that, following the good results obtained from the implementation of the agreement, it can be extended until the end of 2026 and the collaboration can be extended to various pharmacies throughout Spain in order to reduce the proportion of undiagnosed HIV to less than 5%.