Innovative Checkmobile brings HIV tests directly to those in need!

Innovative Checkmobile brings HIV tests directly to those in need!

Something is happening in Schleswig-Holstein: The Aidshilfe and Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband advice bus has been in use since 2022 and offers a low-threshold test offer for diseases such as AIDS, syphilis and hepatitis C. This nationwide, unique concept has the task of giving people who often live on the fringes of society anonymous access to important health services. The bus actively tours through over 20 locations in ten districts of the state and stands at central locations such as food banks, homeless shelters and train station missions in order to reach people with refugee experience and drug users who otherwise have difficulty taking advantage of existing services. According to NDR, over 700 people have already been advised and 400 tests carried out in 2025; demand increases from year to year.

A serious issue that affects many: In the same year, over 3,300 new diagnoses of HIV were reported to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), around 10% of which were caused by injecting drug use. People suffering from addiction often experience late diagnoses, which is often due to irregular testing, frequent changes of location and a lack of awareness of the disease. It is therefore very important that advice and tests are offered in a straightforward and anonymous manner.

The advantages of the Checkmobile

The consultation bus is more than just a mobile test laboratory - it is equipped like a small doctor's office, which creates a confidential atmosphere. The tests are anonymous, which means that no personal information is collected and the results are not recorded in a file. This is a decisive advantage because many people are afraid to go to official testing centers. Anonymous HIV tests are also possible in AIDS services, at health authorities and in checkpoints and are usually offered there through rapid tests that deliver results after just a few minutes. Some of these tests are free, while others are offered for a small fee, as described on aidshilfe.de.

The possibility of, for example, carrying out an HIV self-test at home or using mail-in tests further expands the options for people. There are numerous offers that are tailored to individual needs, and Deutsche Aidshilfe also supports people in these matters through telephone and personal advice.

Financial support and social commitment

Although the project is partially financially supported by the state of Schleswig-Holstein, the initiators rely on donations to continue the valuable work. The NDR charity campaign 2025, which deals with this topic under the motto “Life without addiction”, shows how important these initiatives are for society, because it is estimated that around 2,000 HIV-positive people live in Schleswig-Holstein.

The increasing numbers clearly show that there is a need for action here. A look at the current situation makes it clear that awareness of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases needs to be increased. According to HIV&more, new infections are increasing, which underlines how relevant the offers from Aidshilfe and health authorities are.

The combination of low-threshold offers and an open willingness to provide advice is the right way to get regular customers out of social isolation. Every test and every advice can help reduce the number of infections and give people a chance at a healthy life.