National HIV testing services policies and practices should be reviewed to eliminate all non-voluntary forms of testing. There should be no compulsory or mandatory testing of members of key populations at higher risk of HIV infection or any other population, including pregnant women, migrants, refugees and internally displaced people.
The expansion of voluntary HIV testing services should include improved protection from stigma and discrimination related to HIV-positive status and HIV risk behaviours. HIV testing services should also facilitate linkage to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.
Adolescents require special attention to their needs through the provision of youth-friendly testing and counselling and follow-up services.
The following key factors should be addressed simultaneously:
Assuring linkages between the site where the test is conducted and appropriate treatment, care, prevention and other services, in an environment that guarantees confidentiality of all medical information.
All people who receive an HIV-positive diagnosis should be retested before antiretroviral therapy initiation.
Addressing the implications of an HIV-positive diagnosis, including the risk of stigma and discrimination and the importance of early enrolment in HIV treatment, care and follow-up services, as needed.
Reducing HIV-related stigma and discrimination at all levels, including within health-care settings.
Ensuring a supportive legal and policy framework within which the response is scaled up, including safeguarding the human rights of people accessing and providing HIV testing services and other services.
Improving the health-care infrastructure so that quality services adhering to these principles can be sustained in the face of increased demand for testing, treatment and related services and ensuring that effective monitoring and evaluation is in place.