A collaborative agreement was signed between the Directorate for Human Rights and CheckPoint Malta in order to start offering medical testing for HIV within the LGBTIQ+ Hub in Pahal.
This collaboration will be bringing together the dedicated efforts of CheckPoint Malta, a voluntary organization committed to the promotion of health and sexual well-being particularly HIV, and the Directorate for Human Rights, which operates the LGBTIQ+ Hub. This center is a crucial space to be able to provide services related to the LGBTIQ+ community in Malta.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg, who presided over the signing of the agreement explained “As a government committed to continue reducing stigma in every possible sector, therefore, this agreement that was signed, between the Directorate for Human Rights and the NGO CheckPoint Malta, will serve as another step forward in order to further strengthen the services provided by the LGBTIQ Hub.”
Parliamentary Secretary Buttigieg added that this agreement will mean a more efficient service where the community can go and use this service for testing, while as a government they will continue to intensify the work to have equal access for everyone .
The President of the organization CheckPoint Malta, Marc Buhagiar, reiterated his satisfaction because now this NGO will have another facility where it can provide a testing service for sexually transmitted diseases, particularly HIV. “Our main goal as an NGO is to improve access to testing while those people who resort to this service feel more comfortable because this service, while it is supported by the government, is provided by the own community” said Buhagiar.
Meanwhile, people who wish to find out more about the services offered within the LGBTIQ+ HUB can contact the Directorate for Human Rights on +3562223210 or by email at hrd@gov.mt .
