Amsterdam is a front runner in the Netherlands in the field of HIV research and prevention and is also an active participant in the European Testing Week. During this week, from 21 to 27 November, it is possible to take a free HIV test in various locations or to collect a self-test.
Free HIV test in Amsterdam during the European HIV Testing Week.
HIV infections still occur in Amsterdam. In Testing Week, GGD Amsterdam not only wants more attention to the importance of HIV testing, but also to the stigma surrounding HIV.
Prevent new HIV infections
Early diagnosis of HIV is part of the HIV to 0 campaign, whose goal is to reduce new HIV infections among Amsterdam residents to 0 by 2026. By receiving a timely diagnosis, people with an HIV infection can be cured done right, this is important for your own health and can prevent it from being passed on to others.
A free HIV self-test can be picked up at various points in the city. Self-tests are available at all corona vaccination points in the city (see overview) and at a number of organizations that focus on specific target groups such as Kruispost.
In addition, it is possible to undergo a free HIV test from 21 November until the end of the year through all general practices that fall within the GGD Amsterdam region. General practitioners can offer it during consultation hours, but patients can also request it during consultation hours.
Stubborn estimates
The stigma surrounding HIV is also still an issue in Amsterdam. People with HIV are regularly confronted with negative reactions from their environment. This can be in the immediate vicinity, but also at work, in healthcare or in the media. These negative reactions don’t always have to be done consciously, but they have an impact. All forms of stigma have negative consequences for mental health and sometimes even physical health. The stigma surrounding HIV, for example, sometimes leads to lower adherence to medication in people with HIV and increased distance from healthcare, while these are so important to people with HIV.
Zero new HIV infections in Amsterdam by 2026
Approximately 150 Amsterdammers are infected with HIV every year. New infections occur mainly among men who have sex with men or people with a migrant background, transgender people, and undocumented and/or uninsured people. Amsterdam has expressed the ambition to bring the number of HIV infections to zero in Amsterdam by 2026. This is why it is important that everyone is aware of their HIV status. Because late presentation of HIV is also found in heterosexuals. A group that is generally less likely to be tested for HIV.
More information on European Test Week can be found at ggd.amsterdam.nl/europeantestingweek.
