Fast and anonymous

By: Jelmer Geerds

More than two months ago the OneDayClinic opened its doors on the Spuistraat, right above the OLVG..

"In a society in which Tinder, dating websites and hundreds of festivals are creating ever more fleeting and changing contacts, there is a great need for a place where STI testing can be carried out quickly, anonymously and expertly, even for people who do not belong to the risk group of the GGD", says Amit Atwal, founder of Amsterdam's first private clinic that specialises in STI testing and treatment.

"I was counting on one or two clients a day, but the counter is already over two hundred", beams the 33-year-old doctor, specialising in sexual health care. "It turns out that there is a large group of people in Amsterdam who can no longer go to the GGD, because since this year they no longer come into contact for an anonymous STI test.

"In addition, not everyone is waiting to move into the waiting room of the Municipal Health Service (GGD). Especially when it comes to sexual health, anonymity is often desired. Not only Dutch celebrities do not like to be seen at the GGD's STI consultation hour, also strangers fear the risk of recognition by the GGD or the general practitioner. For this reason, the OneDayClinic is seamlessly designed for discretion: the consultation as such is not traceable on the payment statement and clients do not have to wait in a waiting room with others, but are helped immediately," continues Atwal.

The clinic also wants to draw attention to alertness when it comes to sexual health care, especially in Amsterdam. "The government used to finance campaigns to promote safe sex. However, there is no longer any money from the government for this. We want to pick up the gauntlet by using flyers in cafés, festivals and other places in the city in a playful way to make people aware of the need to be careful with sex. So: have yourself tested if you start a new relationship, or if you have regularly changing contacts. However, the Municipal Health Service (GGD) - an excellent body by the way - does not receive sufficient subsidies to be able to help all the people of Amsterdam. The OneDayClinic is an affordable alternative for those who cannot go there, heterosexuals, swingers, people with changing contacts or those who want to start a new relationship 'clean'. We guarantee anonymity and discretion, offer the possibility to visit often the same day, give a result within 48 hours at the latest."