HIV Testing Day 2016 – A Success

Scotiabank Hosts Testing Day in 17 Countries Across the Region.

Nassau, The Bahamas, June 29, 2016 – Close to 1,000 persons were tested during HIV Testing Day on Friday, June 24, 2016 in Rawson Square on Bay Street. The annual regional event is hosted by Scotiabank, in conjunction with the National HIV/AIDS Programme Ministry of Health, PEPFAR and other partners.

Scotiabank branches across the Caribbean led the charge in providing private and confidential locations to facilitate voluntary HIV counselling and testing. This year, 17 countries participated. In The Bahamas, HIV testing was free. Those who got tested received phone cards and gifts, while supplies lasted. Healthy lifestyle counselling; glucose and cholesterol screenings; blood pressure readings; and preventative tools were also offered at no charge. Dr. Nikkiah Forbes, Director, National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Programme, led stakeholders on a guided tour of the testing site.

About Regional HIV Testing Day

The Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS under the aegis of Scotiabank and local government agencies across the Caribbean have leveraged their strengths towards a common goal since 2007. In its ninth year, over 70,000 people in 21 countries have been tested through this initiative. The goal is to have tested at least 100,000 people in the Caribbean by 2017. Regional Testing Day 2015 was a resounding success with sixteen thousand six hundred and fifty five (16,655) persons being tested across the Caribbean. In 2015, one hundred and ten (110) of those sixteen thousand six hundred and fifty-five (16,655) people tested positive for HIV.

About Scotiabank:

Scotiabank is Canada’s international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 23 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 89,000 employees and assets of $895 billion (as at April 30, 2016), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS).

Pictured (L to R):  Sherrilyn Wallace, Ministry of Health; John Bush, Political/Economic Officer, US Embassy Nassau; Dr. Kathleen Israel, PAHO/WHO Representative Bahamas (and Turks and Caicos); Leah Davis, Senior Manager, Marketing and Public Relations, Scotiabank; Dwight Burrows, Director, Retail Banking, Northern Caribbean, Scotiabank; Hon. Dr. Perry Gomez, Minister of Health; Maisie Evans, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; Dr. Nikkiah Forbes, Director, National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Programme; David Allen, Political/Economic Chief, US Embassy Nassau; Dr. Bridgette Rolle, Section Head, Bahamas National Drug Council.

National Testing Day, Rawson Square, Bay Street.

Scotiabank employee volunteers assist at HIV Testing Day on June 24.

Scotiabank employee volunteers assist at HIV Testing Day on June 24.

Caribbean Bottling representatives distribute complimentary Dasani water and Coca-Cola at HIV Testing Day in Rawson Square.

Fun Foods issues free Rich’s popsicles to the community at HIV Testing Day.

A Bahamas Waste employee helps keep things sanitary at HIV Testing Day.
 

For media enquiries: 
Maxine Seymour
Manager Public & Corporate Affairs, Sponsorships & Philanthropy 
t: (242) 356-1446
f: (242) 356-1601
e: maxine.seymour@scotiabank.com