Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi on Tuesday, December 1, led from the frontline in encouraging HIV testing when she took on the test as members of the public looked on.
While commemorating World AIDS Day in Kajiado county, the CS took the bold step to try out the self-testing kits which give results in a shorter period of time.
The test was conducted by National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCOP) HIV testing Services Manager Mary Mugambi, who explained the process of using the Oraquick kit.
The CAS was taken through the simple testing process where fluid was collected from her mouth via swab on her gums.
Mwangangi disclosed that the self-test kit was an important development in HIV testing noting that the government was raising advocacy for its use.
She further lauded the automated HIV self-testing vending machine which was unveiled at the event.
“The ATMs will allow the dispensing of self-testing kits across different institutions and in public places.
“A pilot is currently underway to determine how best to scale this intervention. Remember the old condom dispensers we had, it is basically the same theory,” she explained.
