Defeating an earlier pandemic

In London, Sompol* can know his HIV status almost immediately. He registers on a website and fills out a questionnaire. Even illegal immigrants can avail themselves of this free service because it doesn’t require ID and visa status checks. In two days, a white parcel of self-test kits arrives on his doorstep.

“It is very discreet. Only your name appears on the package and it doesn’t show where it comes from. Inside is a box are bottles for collecting finger-prick blood, urine, throat, and rectal swab samples. When you are done, you pack it and drop the parcel into a post box. You will get the result in two days,” he said during a recent online forum held by the National Community Advisory Board and the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation.

This self-testing service is provided by Sexual Health London. It is…