Dominica expands rapid HIV and syphilis testing services to improve early diagnosis, reduce stigma, and increase healthcare access nationwide.
Dominica: The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening and empowering healthier communities in the country as it launched a nationwide training initiative to increase availability of HIV and syphilis testing services.
According to the Ministry of health, the initiative will not only expand access to the services but also support faster diagnosis of HIV and syphilis along with its treatment.
This training programme took place on Wednesday last week, May 20, 2026, and was made successful through the support of the Caribbean Med Labs Foundation (CMLF) under the Global Fund Grant.
Healthcare professionals including nurses, medical doctors and staff working with vulnerable groups from across the island participated in the programme and were trained on how to better perform rapid HIV testing. The professionals were also trained on how to perform a new test, which is the syphilis testing.
HIV tests can now be done in a span of 15 minutes and free of charge, with the results set to come out on the same day. Speaking with members of the media in an interview, Fiona Harris-Glenville, the senior public health nurse with the National HIV/AIDS Response Programme, explained the importance of advancing this initiative in Dominica, noting that the main goal is to end AIDS in Dominica.
We have had rapid testing at the district level for many years now, and it has been one of the programmes that is very important as it increases access to rapid testing. So, what we are doing now is to strengthen that programme, to ensure that we increase access, particularly to people who would not generally go to a facility to access testing or to pay for the test, she stated.
Glenville further added, “Our goal is to end AIDS, and if we are trying to end AIDS, we need to identify people before they have any signs and symptoms of AIDS.”
The Ministry of Health shared this on Facebook where it has described the training as a significant step for the country.
This marked an important step toward earlier detection, reducing wait times, easing anxiety, and fostering healthier communities through timely care and support. By expanding rapid testing services, we are making healthcare more accessible, reducing stigma, and empowering individuals to know their status with confidence and privacy, shared the Ministry of Health.