Newsfrom Japan
Society Lifestyle
Tokyo, March 17 (Jiji Press) – Many public health centers in Japan are suspending free and anonymous HIV antibody testing because they are too busy treating the new coronavirus epilepsy .
According to the health ministry, the number of HIV tests performed at facilities including public health centers in Japan in 2020 fell 51.5 pct from the previous year to 68,998.
As a result, health centers that still offer HIV testing despite the COVID-19 crisis are flooded with applications from people hoping to take such tests.
In response to concerns about delays in treatment of HIV carriers and the possible spread of HIV infections, the ministry is advising health centers to come up with other measures, such as taking HIV tests.
In Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, eight of its 17 public health centers suspended HIV testing for March.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
Clò Jiji