By Kizito Makoye

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (IDN) – Perched on a plastic chair at his shop in the bustling Sinza suburb in Dar es Salaam, Abdul* is anxiously looking at a small kit containing liquid and a stick.

“I want to know my HIV status,” says Abdul while glancing at his watch. A moment ago, the 28-year-old trader briskly swiped a plastic swab across his upper gum to draw some fluid and slotted it into the kit for testing. Abdul who sells a wide range of consumer goods, is among thousands of people who had been given free HIV self-test kits as part of the government’s broader push to reach more people with undiagnosed HIV.

According to the Ministry of Health 29,000 HIV self-test kits were distributed in December and 17,000 people are believed to have used them. The self HIV test kit, which uses an oral sample or blood from a finger prick, is the best way for individuals to examine their HIV status discreetly. The test takes only 20 minutes to confirm the results.

Amid positive signs that Tanzania is embracing the new life-saving technology that could tame the lingering stigma against those afflicted with HIV/AIDS, local residents have expressed optimism describing the new move as a step forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“I’m not ashamed of taking a HIV test, after all I take it myself,” says Abdul

Tanzania President John Magufuli in December signed a new law allowing HIV/AIDS self-testing while lowering the age of HIV testing without parental consent to 15 years. Read more via In Depth News