Checkpoint (rapid HIV testing facility)

Checkpoint was the name of the first rapid HIV testing facility in the Netherlands. This project, run on a voluntary basis, was based in Amsterdam. From 21 June 2002 until its closure on 27 June 2008 almost 5000 people opted for a Checkpoint HIV test.

The rapid HIV testing employed by Checkpoint was for the whole of its existence unique in the Netherlands, because it was at that time not used by the various local health authorities. Such authorities and physicians employed the regular HIV antibody test and clients had to wait 1 or 2 weeks for the result. When an increasing number of local health authorities began using the rapid HIV test, Checkpoint had served its purpose and could be closed down. The rapid HIV test enabled a reliable outcome to be generated within 15 to 20 minutes, which in practice lowered the threshold for such testing. Because in this way more people opted for testing, more HIV-positive people could be reached. A clear advantage is that the diagnosis is made at the earliest possible stage of the infection, facilitating adequate treatment. In addition, through successful early treatment, the infectious period for HIV-positive people can be reduced. In addition to developing the rapid HIV testing methodology, now widely employed, Checkpoint was constantly engaged in promoting the introduction of this rapid testing both in the Netherlands and abroad and in lending support to such initiatives.

Research conducted in 2000 revealed that in the Netherlands only 42% of men who had sex with men (MSM) had ever in their lives been tested for HIV, so the Dutch HIV Association (HVN) wanted to introduce a rapid test in the Netherlands to lower the threshold to get tested.GlaxoSmithKline provided financial assistance.

The rapid HIV test had to be on offer to everyone who had incurred a risk of HIV infection, irrespective of gender or sexual orientation. The testing procedure had to include comprehensive pre-test and post-test counselling. Knowledge gained from this form of testing had to be analyzed and eventually be communicated in a structured manner.

In the beginning, the mainstream bodies in this field, such as SOA Aids Nederland and GGD (the public health authorities at city or district council level) were not immediately enthusiastic and regarded the initiative with some scepticism. The following initial objections had to be overcome:

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