Days of application of the rapid HIV test continue

hiv tests continue

A large number of students participated in the operation that took place on the Andrés Bello Campus.

The numbers of people infected with HIV have increased exponentially in our country, mainly among young people between 20 and 29 years of age, with the Coquimbo Region being one of the areas of the country that shows the greatest increase in new confirmed cases, with an increase of 82% according to data from the Institute of Public Health (ISP).

hiv uls 2 exams continueGiven these worrying figures and the relevance of raising awareness in the community about the issue and taking the corresponding prevention measures, the University of La Serena has promoted the campaign to apply the rapid HIV test, the new version of which was carried out in the parking lot. Andrés Bello Campus.

The rapid test is free and confidential, and is aimed at the diagnosis of HIV, delivering the results in just 15 minutes.

In this new day of the campaign convened by the General Directorate of Student Affairs (Dept. of Health), there were one hundred places available, which were fully taken advantage of by the students.

“It is a super good initiative because it allows all young university students to take this exam. If this was not carried out here at the University, I am sure that many would not do it because it is a subject that is very bureaucratic in hospitals and clinics”, mentioned the student Felipe Muñoz.

hiv uls 3 exams continueStudent Francisco Pastén, meanwhile, assured that “it is very important that there be opportunities to perform this test, due to the context that the country is experiencing regarding this disease and the high rates of HIV that have occurred in many young people. Also because of the little sexual education on the matter, both at home and in schools and universities. Although HIV has treatment, it is a disease that greatly affects work and social life.”

This campaign, which reflects the concern of the ULS for the health and well-being of its students, has been carried out thanks to the alliance between the University, the Student Federation, the Seremi de Salud and CESFAM Juan Pablo II of La Serena, and will continue to take place on various college campuses.

Written by Camila Hermosilla and Sebastián Veliz, Journalism students