Checkpoint

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 new for 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 was that the diagnosis was 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 was reduced. Background 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.