HIV testing clinics open in four African churches to fight high infection rates – London24

The church based clinics will test Africans for HIV

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Four new HIV testing clinics have been opened in African churches in Southwark, New Cross, Wood Green and Dagenham to combat the high rate the disease among the community.

The ActionPlus Foundation believes that Africans in the UK who have HIV are afraid to be tested or admit to infection, because of social stigma and the risk of being thrown out of their churches. It is offering medical testing in church based clinics with trained health specialists and a training programme for church leaders.

Shocking figures from the Health Protection Agency reveal that while 2.8 people in every 1000 in the UK have HIV (aged 15 – 59) – the HIV prevalence rate among black-African heterosexuals is 56 per 1,000 population aged 15-59 years (41 per 1,000 men and 71 per 1,000 women).

Almost two in five (38%) black-African men and one in three (31%) black-African women living with HIV remained unaware of their infection.

Rev Fred Annin, who launched the campaign, said: “The Bible does not condemn people with HIV as cursed. It shouldn’t be taboo to discuss it in churches. It’s a medical condition and people need medical help. Prayer cannot bring our health back when we ignore medicine.”

“Our vision is a world where people affected by HIV do not experience poverty, ill health and prejudice. We support people living with HIV/AIDS to play a central role in improving their own lives, leading to permanent and lasting solutions.”

National HIV Testing Week is from November 22 to 30 and is organized through HIV Prevention England.

The churches are: Mountain Movers Chapel International, Southwark, London SE17 1JJ; Living Flames Baptist Church, Cotesbrooke Street, New Cross, SE14 6HG; Dominion Centre, 9 The Broadway, High Road, Wood Green, London N22 6DS; and The Church Of Pentecost UK, 746 Green Lane, Dagenham, London, Essex RM8 1YX.