On the Testing Kit

I really do wonder, what's the anonymous HIV screening in the government hospitals/clinics were all about. I mean, I've seen posters around and all. But when we casually asked if we could do such test in the clinic the other day, the nurses went all hoo-ha, "You got risk factors?"

As a patient, I wouldn't want a reaction like that. Seriously. Even if they don't stigmatize you, the first reaction that they gave was enough to send some chills down your spine.

Then again, I might be wrong, too ignorant if the clinics were to run in what I'd imagined them to be; patient came, asked for HIV screening test, and the test kit given and the patients were out. No questions asked, nothing said, unless the patient asked questions.

Anyways. Following this incident. I did my second test in the clinic I was posted to, bearing a thick-skinned face and asked if I could do the test. In the midst of the hoo-ha and joking of me having random sex with multiple sexual partners, I finally saw the lines.

Relief.