What is Free HIV Testing Bus 2018-2019?

Free HIV Testing Bus is a community based HIV testing service provided to the people of Terai region of Nepal. This project was supported by AIDS Healthcare Foundation and is run in collaboration with National Center for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC) and National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nepal (NAP+N). In this project, a delivery van is customized to a mobile clinic which moves to the core communities of Terai region of Nepal having minimal health service facility for HIV testing. This project mainly targets the migrant population and their family. Our project has also been contributing in the VISION 2020 of Nepal Government following strategy IRRTTR (Identity, Reach, Recommend, Test, Treat, and Retain) to support Nepal Government for eliminating HIV/AIDS as Public Health Problem.

The project started in 2018 and since then it has been providing free access to HIV services in vulnerable communities of Terai region of Nepal. In 2018 and 2019, we were able to provide free HIV Testing facilities to 17,013 community people from 8 core districts of Terai region of Nepal. Along with providing testing facility, the modiﬁed testing clinic van was able to spread awareness on safe sexual practices and HIV/AIDS among 40,000 local population of targeted districts.

Changemakers Experience Corner

Yagyadi Acharya, Member, 2019

“Back then I was a new member of ‘We’ For Change and the Free HIV Testing Bus Project was my first field project involvement here. It was an amazing experience; working with a new team, meeting new people and handling difficult situations. It was a challenging task working in remote areas of the country where even the basic needs of living are beyond the reach of local people. Free HIV Testing Bus project in itself is an innovative concept and a great platform for every young people to learn in a diverse environment, show case one’s leadership skills and contribute in a social cause.”

Kapil Sigdel, Executive Member (2019-2021)

“My work experience of Free HIV Testing Bus 2019 in Bara district of Terai region gave me an opportunity to work in the sector of health, understand the mentality of people living in vulnerable districts and network with many health workers of Terai region of Nepal. My one week stay at Bara district was very fulfilling and rewarding. Working in the core districts was very challenging but today I am so glad and confident that my exposure in that field has brought tremendous changes within me. I met people of various background and got opportunity to work with the LGBTIQ community too. I will be glad if I will be able to get involved in the project again.”