Recent information circulated by Organisational Health indicate that the prevalence of HIV infection among UCT staff is very very low. Far lower than the local population, among whom we live. Why? Does working at UCT predispose one to a life of sexual abstinence, in pursuit of higher ends? Or are people just not testing - or testing elsewhere, and not making use of the programme should they be positive?
A couple of people have recently expressed to me their willingness to test - but not down at Cambria House. "What if," they worry, "the test did come out as positive? Would HR provide the counselling? Would the people at Cambria see, and know?"
Having tested there myself a couple of times, I can assure people that it is very confidential - you can book online here - and when you arrive you'll be greeted by the counsellor (an outsider, bound by strict ethics of confidentiality) and the sister who'll draw your blood and do the test. UCT's involvement, beyond providing the premises (and the hot water for the coffee) is zip.
Oh, and it's painless. No more stabbing with metre long needles as thick as hosepipes. The new procedure is so uninvasive you barely notice.
If you've not had an HIV test recently, go. You owe it to yourself, your dependents, your lovers, and your friends, to know your status.