HIV self-test kits to be available in select retail pharmacies by end Janaury

This is part of the health ministry’s effort to boost self-testing.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) self-testing kits will be available for purchase at selected retail pharmacies nationwide and Action for AIDS (AfA) by end-January 2025.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said this is part of its efforts to enhance access to HIV testing within the community and encourage regular testing.

The kits can be used independently in a private setting and involve self-collection of oral specimens using a swab. Links to instructional videos in local languages will be provided with the testing kits. Information on HIV and hotlines for pre-and post-test counselling will be available at AfA and the retail pharmacies where self-testing kits are available for sale.

The MOH said that individuals who test positive on the self-testing kits should receive further confirmatory testing from a healthcare provider and be referred for treatment.

HIV self-testing was piloted at the Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections Control (DSC) Clinic and AfA from August 2022 to complement the existing testing modalities. The pilot had demonstrated the acceptability, safety and effective use of HIV self-testing, and encouraged the uptake of HIV testing among those who had never previously tested for HIV.

In Singapore, a large proportion of newly detected HIV cases had late-stage infection at the time of diagnosis, with 52% of cases detected in late-stage infection in 2023, 51% in 2022 and 62% in 2021. The proportion detected through self-initiated HIV testing was also relatively low, with 15% of such cases in 2023, 17% in 2022 and 16% in 2021.

Those who wish to speak to someone about HIV, or require sexual health-related information or counselling, are advised to contact the DSC Clinic at 1800 252 1324 and/or AfA at 6254 0212.