Free HIV screening at Roman hospital

On the occasion of World AIDS Day on 1 December, the Italian ministry of health launches its annual AIDS awareness campaign.

In Rome the S. Gallicano hospital on Via Elio Chianesi 53 is offering free counselling and testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases on 1 December from 08.00 to 20.00. The test is offered anonymously, the results are back within about 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.

Also on 1 December the infectious diseases clinic at the Lazzaro Spallanzani hospital on Via Portuense 292 is holding a medical conference discussing policies aimed at managing AIDS in the Lazio region.

Each Friday the S. Giovanni clinic on Via S. Giovanni in Laterano 155 conducts HIV tests from 15.00-16.00, with results available the following Friday from 16.00-16.30.

The eight edition of the Roma Rainbow Choir concert for AIDS awareness, held in collaboration with the Circolo di Cultura Omosessuale Mario Mieli, takes place at 20.30 on 5 December, at the Evangelical Methodist church on Via Firenze 38 near Largo S. Susanna.

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.