NASSAU, Bahamas -- Bahamians will be able to access free HIV testing in Rawson Square this Friday through a partnership between Scotiabank and the Ministry of Health in observation of Regional HIV Testing Day 2011. This initiative is a part of a regional program organized by the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership (CBMP) who will host testing events at Scotiabank branches in fourteen countries across the Caribbean.  HIV Testing Day takes place on Friday, June 24 at Rawson Square north from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"Scotiabank is pleased to partner with Ministry of Health and the National AIDS Programme to help heighten public interest in HIV testing," said Leah R. Davis, Senior Manager Marketing & Public Relations, Scotiabank. "Supporting the growing program is part our ongoing commitment to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS in The Bahamas." She stressed, "We are relying on the participation of community leaders to demonstrate the importance of being tested, knowing your status in order to join the fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS."
Regional Testing Day has expanded from its pilot program three years ago. In 2008, the CBMP on HIV/AIDS and Scotiabank in collaboration with regional Ministries of Health piloted the Caribbean's first Regional HIV Testing Day in Barbados. This year, the first for The Bahamas, it is expected that 10,000 people will be tested across the region, improving on slightly more than 8,400 persons recorded in 2010 and approximately 5,000 in 2009.

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