The National Police of Timor-Leste’s (PNTL) HIV testing service, Voluntary Confidential Counselling and Testing (VCCT), has been non-operational for a year due to a lack of staff.
Clinic head Inspector Abilio de Aroujo Gonsalves said the PNTL was planning to approach the health ministry about a plan to resurrect the service.
“We are co-ordinating with the National Commission for Combating HIV/AIDS and the Health Ministry to replace the administration system so we can function again,” he said.
In the absence of the VCCT service, PNTL members were tested for HIV by the Health Ministry, he said.
Inspector Gonsalves said the equipment needed to resume the service was already in place. The service will restart upon the return of laboratory staff from Indonesia.
Gonsalves said the clinic was recently given an ambulance to carry out mobile clinics in the districts.
HIV/AIDS department chief Marta Abenia said her department was ready to help the clinic by providing training in counselling and treatment to staff.
She said the Health Ministry had helped F-FDTL establish a similar service because, as defenders of the nation, the health of PNTL and F-FDTL members was paramount.
She praised F-FDTL commanders’ initiative in making HIV testing mandatory for members.
PNTL General Commander Longinhos Monteiro said their clinic would be running again shortly.
He said all members would be required to be tested once a year.
“It will no longer be voluntary but members will be obligated to be tested annually to confirm that we are all free from the HIV virus,” he said.
The VCCT service was established in 2011.
