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Source:
www.moh.gov.sg |
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Excerpt of Speech By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister Of State For
Health in Parliament |
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The Aids Epidemic |
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"In November, I had forecast that the rate of
increase of AIDS was such, that in 2004, we will cross the 300 mark in terms
of new cases diagnosed. The final tally is in. Sadly, the total number of new
cases for 2004 was 311. In 2003, the number of new cases was 242. This means
there was a year-on-year increase of 28%. |
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"Currently 90% of these newly diagnosed patients
are males, with 1/3 being gays. We had a low prevalence rate of HIV in the
past, even in the gay community. |
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"We do not know the reasons for the sharp increase
of HIV in the gay community. An epidemiologist has suggested that this may be
linked to the annual predominantly gay party in Sentosa - the Nation Party
-which allowed gays from high prevalence societies to fraternize with local
gay men, seeding the infection in the local community. However, this is a
hypothesis and more research needs to done. |
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"The reported new cases are only the tip of the
ice-berg. In total, we have more than 2,000 HIV/AIDS patients. But for every
AIDS patient we have diagnosed, there are possibly 2 to 4 undiagnosed patients
with HIV in Singapore. That means there could be, anywhere between 4,000 to
8,000, undiagnosed HIV patients in Singapore. |
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"Last month, there was an alarming report from the
US. The AIDS virus has mutated and the new virus is drug-resistant and kills
quickly. Even those who are already HIV-positive can get infected by this
strain. |
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Some Measures being Studied |
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"We therefore have to make testing simpler for
people at risk. MOH is currently studying the introduction of over-the-counter
HIV test kits. These test kits are easy to use because they test the saliva.
This will allow those at risk to test themselves. If those with HIV are
diagnosed early, they could receive treatment early and hence minimise the
development of complications. |
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"Recently we made testing of HIV in pregnant
mothers an opt-out option. This increased the overall screening rate from 37%
to 77%. As a result of screening, in the last two months we have saved at
least one child from getting infected. MOH is studying proposals to make
testing of pregnant mothers compulsory so that we can achieve 100% screening. |
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Legislation on AIDS |
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"Besides gays, the other major risk group are
heterosexual men who have casual sex. In many cases, this puts the wife, at
risk. Sir, in countries where the AIDS epidemic is full-blown, the majority of
AIDS patients are women. This is because it is easier for the infection to
move from man to woman than from woman to man. Currently, only 10% of AIDS
patients in Singapore are women. |
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"Sir, if we do not act to protect women, many
women will get infected and we too will have a situation where women form the
majority of AIDS patients. Do we want this to happen? |
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"There is a need to balance the right to
confidentiality of the AIDS patient with the right to protect those at risk.
The current legislation appears to be tilted in favour of the patient and
exposes the spouse to the risk of catching AIDS. It also prevents the
healthcare system from performing its public health duties. |
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"This is one reason why the AIDS epidemic is not
coming under control. We need to treat AIDS like any other public health
problem. We must give public health workers the tools needed to screen for the
infection and contact-trace the infection. |
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"There has been a reluctance to deal pro-actively
with AIDS because of the fear that the AIDS patient will be discriminated.
Hence many measures were put in place which hindered efforts to diagnose HIV.
But if the HIV patient is not diagnosed and even the person who is
HIV-positive does not know he has HIV, how can we effectively stop the
transmission of the disease? |
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"We need to de-stigmatise testing and at the same
time we must prevent discrimination against AIDS patients. Those who test
positive for HIV should lead normal lives in society. MOH will consult with
the public and stakeholders before proposing any legislative changes..." |
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Full Text of Speech |
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Source:
Ministry of Health Press Release 9 Mar
2005 |
Aids Epidemic - 311 new cases in 2004
