HIV testing: Easy as one, two, three.

Getting tested: Bridget Adams of Student Wellness, is tested by Denise Cooper, a registered nurse on duty at UCT's free Voluntary Testing and Counselling drive.

Within the first few hours of Monday, 5 March, 208 students and staff had already been tested at UCT's free Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) campaign which runs from 5 to 9 March.

Student Wellness Service, in collaboration with Human Resources and HIV/AIDS Co-ordination '“ UCT (HAICU), organised the campaign as a follow-up to a similar event late last year. The goal is to get people tested, says Bridget Adams, a registered nurse working for Student Wellness.

The service is for everyone including contract employees.

"We would never turn anyone away," says Adams.

For each session, staff and students receive pre-test counselling by trained counsellors, a test administered by nurses (RAPID finger-prick test involving a prick to the finger and a single drop of blood taken), a 15-minute wait for the results, and post-test counselling by medical practitioners (psychologist and doctors).

"We've had a steady flow of people coming in," Adams adds. "For such a short time, it's a great turn-out."

The campaign runs from 5 to 9 March in the Jameson Hall.