The Rapid Test and Consultancy Unit which sustains its activities within Çankaya Municipality Public Health Center has been brought into service on December 1, World AIDS awareness day. In the scope of struggle against HIV/AIDS, the practice continues as informing the risk groups about the ways of protection from the disease, providing consultancy service to ensure the people engaged in risky behavior to take the test, and applying anonymous test for the individuals who accept to take the test.

The Rapid Test Unit is able to carry out HIV testing and counseling services to everyone without looking for their social security conditions. There is no charge for taking the test, and the identity information of the individuals is not required. A code is given to the individuals who took the test and the results are tracked via this given code. The telephone counseling service on HIV is also provided.

This practice is carried out by Çankaya Municipality, Turkish Public Health Institution and United Nations Population Fund, Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association. A protocol has also been signed with the Turkish Public Health Institution and the Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association in line with this cooperation. The trainings that given to the personnel to be involved in the practice process have been completed, and the strategies are being developed (E.g. University days etc.) to reach risk groups more quickly. The links are also being established about building staff capacity and using the international funds. (Dr. Arash Alaei;GIHHR, State University of Newyork at Albany)