Checkpoint ARAS Network is the network of ARAS centers where men who have sex with men and trans people can get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections free of charge and anonymously. There are currently ARAS Checkpoints in Bucharest, Cluj, Iasi and Timisoara.

The opening of Checkpoint ARAS Bucharest in 2017 also represents the opening of the first and only center of its kind in Romania. This is a project of ARAS – Romanian Anti-AIDS Association.

HIV/AIDS remains one of the most important public health challenges in the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

WHO

Worldwide, the need for regular testing, at least for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), is constant, and unfortunately Romania fails to meet the demand. In response, ARAS has been promoting and providing HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C testing for all categories of people for over 20 years.

We have not stopped there. HIV testing in Romania can still be a difficult, discriminatory, and unfriendly process for the person who asks for it, especially if they are a member of the LGBTQI+ community. In this context, we wanted to create a center where testing is also about information, empathy, understanding and respect, not just about blood, needles and fear of needles.

And we did it! In AUGUST 2017 we started with one location and one testing day per week. Testing is now taking place in four locations (Bucharest, Cluj, Iasi and Timisoara), two days a week.

We wanted there to be no barrier of misunderstanding between counsellors and beneficiaries, which is why counsellors are either members of the community or very open with it.

We wanted testing to be accessible to everyone, so we made it free and anonymous.

Checkpoint ARAS services are not just about testing. Our counsellors provide the information and counselling part for every person accessing the center’s services.

It’s not enough just to talk about healthy sexual behavior, we also have to put it into practice, which is why at Checkpoint we offer free condoms and lubricant to everyone who needs them.