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Talk among waiting families lately has centered upon the lack of PCR kits, which is thought to be slowing down infant referrals in recent weeks. The PCR is a type of HIV test most commonly used to determine if an infant born to an HIV-positive mother is infected with the virus.
All babies and children most be HIV-tested at least twice before leaving Ethiopia. So this shortage of tests has slowed adoption processing at two points.
First of all, babies can’t be tested when they first come into care, and thus have to wait longer to be referred to families. Many families lately are experiencing longer-than-normal waits for referrals.
The other point at which it affects adoption is just before the visa interview. The US Embassy in Addis requires that children be tested once more before the interview can happen. Due to the lack of PCR kits, some interviews have had to be postponed. A few families have even had to reschedule plane tickets for later dates.
These delays have been frustrating to many families. However, rumors are coming from at least two agencies that PCR kits are coming, and some HIV testing will be done as soon as this weekend.
Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of the log jam, and HIV testing will get back to normal very soon. I’d love to hear that lots of people are getting their referrals very soon. My sister and her husband should have their dossier in Ethiopia by May, hopefully, and I know many other people have been waiting quite awhile.
Writing on the topic of HIV testing got me wondering about the actual prevalence of HIV in Ethiopia. I have done a bit of research and will be sharing what I found regarding that in another post.
Additional reading: A Complete Guide To HIV Testing
Our child hade only one test done in Adis and it was not a PCR test. Lab result statet NEGATIVE, but ELISA as well as PCR test after arrival at home says clearly POSITIVE.
Its scary but we are trying to learn more about HIV cause now it is (and always will be) part of our daily life!
We love our child!