11 Jan 2008

Cooks to run new programme to fight STD's

3:05 pm on 11 January 2008

A programme is being rolled out in the Cook Islands to make it easier to test for the sexually transmitted diseases, chlamydia and gonnorhea.

Testing and treatment have become much simpler and more affordable in recent years with the availability of more accurate tests that can be used on urine samples, and single-dose antibiotic treatment.

The pilot programme is run by the health ministry with support from the Pacific Community and the Asian Development Bank.

In the Cook Islands, chlamydia testing occurred for a period a few years ago but ceased because of high costs.

A testing and treatment pilot programme is also planned for Solomon Islands.