Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Network of Zambia People living with HIV (NZP+) has welcomed the launch of the HIV self-testing in Africa project which is aimed at ensuring that 90 percent of people know their HIV status.
NZP Acting Executive Director Kunyima Banda has however, noted the need for people to be provided with more information and where they can get counseling.
She says there is need to give people more options for HIV testing especially that there are certain people who may not want to be tested by the third person
Ms. Banda says the initiative will help many people know their HIV status.
But Treatment, Advocacy and Literacy Campaign (TALC) Country Director Felix Mwanza has expressed concern about the consequences of self testing.
Mr. Mwanza says though the project has come at a right time to enable more people know their HIV status, there is need to sensitize people so as to avoid incidences of people committing suicide once they discover their status.
Mr. Mwanza has since appealed to the government and relevant stakeholders to invest in community counseling and testing services so that people who may want to test themselves have access to such services.