MORE than 800 people turned up yesterday at the Emancipation Park in Kingston to get free HIV/AIDS tests during the observance of World AIDS Day.

Carla Moore, chairman of the World AIDS Day committee and behaviour change communication officer for the National HIV/STI Control Programme at the Ministry of Health told the Observer that by 5:00 pm yesterday, at least 600 persons had been tested.

“We are satisfied with the way things turned out because we had expected a large crowd and this is tremendous,” she said. “We opened at 10:00 am and by 10:45 am there were about 100 people in line to get tested.”

Several tents were set up in a section of the park to facilitate the testing. Once a person completed a data form, they received pre and post test counselling, regardless of the test results. It took about 20 minutes for the test results.

“I am here to get tested because I recently broke up with my partner and I want to make sure that I am okay,” said Felicia Mais as she waited in line to get tested.

Others waiting in line said they decided to get tested because they wanted to know their status so that they could get the necessary treatment if needed.

“I just need to know my status so that I can keep healthy,” Troy-Ann McLean told the Observer. “It is better to know than not know because you can spread it (HIV) to other people.”

Free HIV/AIDS testing was one of the many activities put on by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Centre for Disease Control to commemorate World AIDS Day. There was also a speakers corner, which focused on topics such as parenting, making your child vulnerable to HIV, the role of the church, Christianity versus sexuality, sex in the church and parenting through the eyes of the youth.

In addition, information booths were set up by the Jamaica Network of Seropositives, an organisation that provides support for persons living with HIV/AIDS; the Jamaica Red Cross and Panos Caribbean, a non-profit organisation that focuses on raising awareness on a range of development issues such as HIV/AIDS.

There was also a booth to provide information for people who wanted to participate in the HIV vaccine trial.