TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) will be kicking off a $2 million campaign tomorrow, February 2, to promote the Rapid HIV test that is provided free of charge at publicly funded counseling and testing sites throughout the state. 

More than half of the people living with HIV/AIDS in New Jersey are unaware of their HIV status.  The campaign is designed to encourage more people to be tested for HIV by providing results within 20 minutes rather than two weeks.  

Acting DHSS Commissioner Fred M. Jacobs, M.D., J.D. will host the event at St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark, along with other DHSS officials and hospital representatives, to unveil details of the campaign and provide a tour of the Peter Ho Memorial Clinic where the Rapid HIV test is offered to the community.

The event will begin with the clinic tour at 2:00 p.m. followed by a press conference in Mother Schervier Hall, adjacent to the clinic, at 2:20 p.m.  Parking will be provided in the hospital’s visitor parking lot at the corner of James Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, adjacent to Mother Schervier Hall.

* Producer’s Note:    Camera crews are encouraged to bring lighting equipment.

KICK-OFF OF RAPID HIV TESTING CAMPAIGN

Wednesday, February 2, 2005

2:00 P.M.

St. Michael’s Medical Center

Peter Ho Memorial Clinic

268 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

Newark, NJ

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