Free HIV screening at two Roman hospitals

On the occasion of World AIDS Day on 1 December, the Italian ministry of health has launched an AIDS awareness campaign Uniti contro l’Aids (United against AIDS). In Rome, the Bambino Gesù hospital is offering free counselling and HIV testing at its clinic at S. Paolo Fuori le Mura on Saturday 30 November from 09.00-13.00.

Similarly the infectious diseases clinic at the Lazzaro Spallanzani hospital on Via Portuense 292 is providing free HIV screening and counselling, on Sunday 1 December between 10.00 and 18.00. The test is offered anonymously, the results are back within 15-20 minutes and are communicated verbally by a doctor.

Across Italy on 1 December from 10.00 to 18.00, people with concerns about HIV/AIDS can call the free-phone AIDS helpline, tel. 800861061, whose experts are on hand to answer questions and offer advice in four languages: Italian, English, French and Portuguese.

Since 1988, World AIDS Day has been held annually on 1 December and is an opportunity for people around the world to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died as a result of HIV.

For full details see health ministry website.