At-home testing is an essential step forward for accessible health care
In an age of doctor shortages and long wait times, self-testing for diseases can help catch health issues early on
Cervical cancer self-screening kits are available to British Columbians. (Pexels/Artem Podrez)
This summer, Nova Scotia released a new program to provide free at-home testing kits for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Experts say this step plays a vital role in reducing infection rates among the population.
The program aims to look for and reduce infections through screenings. The test kits are mailed to recipients after they fill out an online form, which consists of instructions for the sample collection.
The initiative is similar to the one offered in B.C., which provides cervical cancer self-screening kits. The distribution of take-home test kits is a huge step towards providing accessible health care to the population.
While people willingly go to extreme lengths for frivolous pursuits, going to a doctor for a regular checkup is often put off for way too long. It is only when any disease is at its peak that people become concerned. Disparities in the health-care system along with long wait times and expensive treatments are also a part of the problem.
Given this, having convenient and accessible ways to screen for health issues protects the population as a whole. The initiative cuts out the waiting part of the testing process as people can receive access to the kits by ordering them online, allowing more people to use them. This can also help reduce transmissible disease rates as treatment will start at earlier stages, thus helping to control the spread of diseases.
A concern with these programs, however, is that people looking to order the testing must provide a delivery address, hence leaving out those who are unhoused or don’t have stable housing conditions. These kits should be provided in public spaces like libraries and hospitals to help ensure availability is equitable.
It is also extremely vital to provide proper education about the usage of these kits and their importance in preventing severe infections. The kits will not be beneficial if they are not used properly, so ensuring there is thorough instruction in both audio and visual formats is essential to completely understand their application.
Take-home testing is an extension of in-person health care but should not be considered its replacement. To tackle problems with health care, more initiatives of this kind are needed to help fill disparities, but improving the doctor-to-patient ratio and reducing wait times is key.
Health care is a basic human right and it should be considered of prime importance to take action accordingly.
