HIV testing in Africa: how much does it cost... (3)
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Erica,
I guess Africa is a huge place made up of different countries so the
cost of anti-HIV testing and its availability will differ between
countries.
In Ghana, anti HIV testing for the purpose of making blood safe for
transfusion and in confirming (or otherwise) the presence of HIV in a
patient is free in all public institutions. Testing for purposes of
acquiring insurances and visas cost up to US$ 10 in public institu-
tions and US$ 20 in private laboratories.
Dr. Adu-Sarkodie
Kumasi, Ghana
mailto:ysarkodie@ighmail.com
P.S.
I forgot to talk on availability. In general all Teaching, Regional and
district hospital have anti HIV testing facilities - ELISA kits and
rapid test devices in the Regional and Teaching hospitals and rapid
test devices in district hospitals. There are occasional shortages es-
pecially in facilities that use rapid test devices. Supplies of ELISAs
are regular. The free kits are supplied by both Government and USAID. I
would say that if any one wants HIV testing in Ghana, they will get
one, either in public or private facilities.
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