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The moment was as solemn as it was relaxed. On Tuesday September 23, volunteers from the local Red Cross delegation officially opened the CeGIDD (Centre gratuit d'information, de dépistage et de diagnostic) at the Maison de la santé in Saint-Jean. The center will be open twice a month, offering free consultations and screening.
The CeGIDD is a public health facility financed by the Agence régionale de santé (ARS) as a global endowment from Fir (Fonds d'intervention régional) funds. Since October 1, 2024, the French Red Cross has held the accreditation for Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy. The main site is on Saint-Martin, and a branch was opened on Saint-Barth on June 1.
Doctor Frédéric Olivo is in charge of coordinating the Free Information, Screening and Diagnostic Center for the Red Cross.
Free services at the heart of the program
Doctor Frédéric Olivo, in charge of coordinating the CeGIDD for the Red Cross, explains the structure's missions. A CeGIDD promotes sexual health as described in the national strategy," he explains. Everything is free for the user. Consultations, screening and treatment when necessary, and referrals if required. Whether or not the user is covered by social security. They can consult us anonymously or by name. It's up to them to decide. Minors are also seen, but only by the doctor, and the only constraint is that they must be accompanied by an adult of their choice. "Not necessarily their parents, of course.
Screenings can be carried out inside or outside the clinic. In Saint-Barthélemy, all samples are processed by the island's laboratory, with which a partnership agreement has been signed. Results are provided within seven days. HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, chlamydia, monococcus, trichomonas, etc. are all tested. Pregnancy screening is also available. If positive, the person is referred to a health professional. CeGIDD is authorized to treat all STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections), except hepatitis and HIV. But treatment is free and provided by the Center.
In addition, CeGIDD offers medical consultations for the prescription and monitoring of HIV PrEP, a preventive treatment that prevents the HIV virus from developing and attaching itself as soon as it enters the body. "We also offer consultations for the dispensing of emergency pills, which are available here free of charge," adds Dr Olivo.
Prevention in schools
One of the plans is to install a condom dispenser outside the Maison de la Santé. In addition, the CeGIDD team includes a psychologist. We don't just do screening, but also prevention and detection of sexual and gender-based violence," explains Dr Olivo. We do this in partnership with other associations such as France Victime and Aides. "The CeGIDD also provides prevention services in schools and associations, and offers consultations on addictology.
ARS Territorial Director Paul Guibert stresses the importance of establishing closer links with the public. We're aware that the stakes are real for seasonal workers, but also for local people," he says. We feel it's necessary to have a physical presence in the area. We're very happy with this opening. It's always difficult to network the various regions properly, which involves human resources, housing constraints and so on. It's a sensitive subject, with few figures. It's up to the Red Cross to ensure that its system is as efficient as possible. The aim is to be known and recognized, and to adapt according to needs and expectations. "
For the time being, drop-in sessions are organized on the second Tuesday of each month. If the need arises, the organization can be expanded.
At the inauguration, Marie-Hélène Bernier, first vice-president of the Collectivité and chairwoman of the health commission, welcomed the opening of the CeGIDD. She stressed the importance of such a structure, and of the possibility of access to all STI and HIV screening tests. After more than a year and a half of collaboration between Dr Olivo, the Red Cross represented by Christine Moizan, ARS management, the health department and the social department, theThe move to the Maison de la Santé was quickly envisaged to guarantee confidentiality, a central location on the island, and the pooling of services," she explains. In the presence of Cécile Tessier, president of the social services department, Marie-Hélène Bernier stressed the importance of rapidly distributing free condoms for men and women.
