SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 14th February (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Tenerife Health Area’s Primary Care Management has carried out more than 3,500 tests for the early detection of communicable diseases through the ‘Screening Point’ project, an innovative initiative introduced in February 2023 that is enhancing early identification of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and viral hepatitis on the island.
During this period, a total of 1,400 conditions have been identified, particularly highlighting the increase in STIs. This data marks a significant achievement in the preventive work conducted in Tenerife’s Primary Care area.
Responding to the growing demand and the rising trend of STIs, the Tenerife Primary Care Management has recently inaugurated a new screening point at the Añaza Health Center. This addition complements the existing facilities at the La Cuesta and San Isidro health centers and the Puerto de la Cruz Emergency Service.
This new ‘Screening Point’ facility will bolster the capacity for the detection and prevention of infectious and contagious conditions, providing the community with easier and more effective access to these healthcare services, the Ministry reports in a note.
This initiative demonstrates the Primary Care Management’s dedication to public health, disease prevention, and promotion.
Individuals interested in scheduling an appointment at one of the screening points should contact their health center.
The ‘Screening Point’ is an innovative project developed by the Tenerife Primary Care Management with the aim of addressing and early identifying different conditions such as HIV, STIs, and viral hepatitis within the community.
As part of this initiative, early detection tests are conducted in a confidential, accessible, and efficient manner within the population. If positive results are obtained, an appointment with the responsible doctor for the patient for appropriate follow-up and treatment is facilitated.
Affected individuals are also provided with guidance to address any queries, thereby contributing to strengthening infection prevention within the community.
EARLY DETECTION IN EMERGENCY SERVICES
In the field of Emergency Services, this initiative extends the automated system introduced by the SCS in clinical records for the early detection of HIV in hospital emergency services, catering to patients exhibiting clinical symptoms related to the disease.
Through this project, diagnosis becomes more accessible for a specific profile of patients who are not users of Primary Care services, where early detection tests for sexually transmitted diseases are performed.
RAPID TESTS FOR EARLY DETECTION OF HIV AND OTHER STIs
Furthermore, Health and several NGOs are collaborating on a project to conduct rapid tests for the early detection of HIV and other STIs.
The General Directorate of Public Health of the Canarian Health Service, responsible for the AIDS Plan in the Canary Islands, coordinates a Programme for the early detection of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) through rapid tests in community settings. This action is conducted in collaboration with Non-Governmental Organizations and other collaborating entities across the archipelago.
Since September 2010, the program for the early detection of HIV through rapid tests for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis in community settings has aimed to promote accessibility to testing for HIV and other STIs to the target population and to facilitate the early diagnosis of people with HIV.
