Long lines for HIV testing mark UTech Health Fair
Published:Tuesday | March 31, 2026 | 12:09 AMCorey Robinson/Senior Staff Reporter
Long lines formed early for HIV testing at this year’s Health Promotion Fair hosted by the College of Health Sciences at the University of Technology, Jamaica – signalling both concern and curiosity among attendees.
Staged at the university’s Caribbean Sculpture Park, the event featured eight booths covering areas such as mental health and emotional wellness, nutrition, drug awareness and prevention, environmental health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and disaster management.
There was also a softer touch: animal therapy sessions aimed at supporting mental well-being, offering participants a chance to decompress amid the day’s more clinical engagements.
In total, about 200 people, including students and passers-by, participated. But it was the steady demand for HIV testing that stood out, with approximately 80 individuals screened, according to the organisers. Health personnel on site said the consistent flow throughout the day reflected a growing willingness among young people to know their status.
“I have not been practising safe sex since 2023, so I was concerned, especially with recent sexual partners. That is why I did the test,” one student said after receiving his results yesterday. “I was able to get that off my mind today.”
For second-year student Toniann Francis, the experience underscored the realities of sexually transmitted infections in Jamaica.
“When you hear that more than 35,000 people in Jamaica are living with HIV and AIDS, you realise how serious it is,” she said. “A lot of people are living risky lifestyles without understanding the danger of contracting something like HIV, so that was an eye-opener for me.”
She also pointed to the communicable diseases booth – where physical food models were used to demonstrate proper portion sizes – as one of the more engaging displays, helping to translate abstract health advice into practical guidance.
Racquel Burton Edwards, acting head of the Caribbean School of Nursing, said the fair forms part of a broader effort to move students beyond theory and into meaningful public engagement.
“It exposes them to local, regional, and international health policies, as well as the barriers within the healthcare system,” she said. “This hands-on practice builds experience and strengthens communication skills, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-life settings.”
Planning for the event began in January and required significant coordination and commitment from students, she added, noting that such initiatives are critical to building a responsive healthcare workforce.
Professor Adella Campbell, dean of the College of Health Sciences, said the initiative also helps students transition more confidently from the classroom into practical environments, where they must interact with diverse communities and real-world health challenges.
Yesterday marked the 15th staging of the event, which the organisers say continues to evolve in response to emerging public health needs.