30-11-2024 (SINGAPORE) Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has announced that HIV self-testing kits will be available over the counter at selected Guardian and Watsons pharmacies from late January 2025.
Speaking at the 14th Singapore Aids Conference, Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary unveiled the initiative, emphasising its role in empowering individuals to manage their health privately and confidentially. The programme aims to overcome stigma-related barriers that often prevent people from seeking traditional testing methods.
The move follows a successful pilot programme launched in 2022 by the National HIV Programme, in collaboration with Action for Aids Singapore (AfA) and the Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections Control (DSC) clinic. “The pilot has demonstrated that HIV self-testing is safe, effective, and widely accepted among key populations and the general public,” Dr Puthucheary stated.
Latest statistics reveal that Singapore recorded 209 new HIV infections among residents in 2023, with the cumulative number reaching 9,540 cases, including 2,457 deaths. Notably, more than half of newly detected cases in 2023 were diagnosed at late stages, highlighting the urgent need for earlier detection.
The OraQuick HIV Self-Test Kit, currently available through the National Skin Centre Pharmacy’s website at $21.85, utilises an oral swab technique and delivers results within 20 minutes. However, health officials stress that positive results require confirmatory testing through healthcare providers.
Singapore is progressing towards the UN’s 95-95-95 targets for 2030, with current figures showing 85% of HIV-positive individuals aware of their status, 94% of diagnosed cases receiving treatment, and 93% of treated patients achieving viral suppression.
Dr Martin Chio, senior consultant at the National Skin Centre Singapore, praised the initiative’s potential to increase testing accessibility. Associate Professor Sophia Archuleta, head of infectious diseases at the National University Hospital, added that the self-test kits have proven reliable internationally and feature user-friendly instructions.
MOH guidelines recommend that all adults undergo HIV testing at least once in their lifetime, with more frequent testing advised for those engaging in high-risk behaviours. The ministry emphasises that modern antiretroviral therapy enables HIV-positive individuals to lead normal lives and, with proper treatment, prevent transmission to sexual partners.
The initiative coincides with recent legislative changes that exempt HIV-positive individuals from disclosure requirements if they maintain undetectable viral loads for six months or more, further encouraging regular testing and treatment engagement.
Health authorities will work closely with community partners to ensure appropriate support systems are in place for individuals using the self-test kits, particularly those who receive positive results and require additional guidance or emotional support.
