THE EDITOR, Sir:
HIV/AIDS IS arguably the leading public health issue facing Jamaica today which, if left unchecked, could pose far-reaching impacts on the development of the country. With an estimated 24,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Jamaica, with over 19,000 of that number said to be unaware of their positive status; and with HIV/AIDS as the leading cause of death among children, between the period of birth and age four, our nation is in serious danger of undergoing a major crisis.
In light of the present reality and the seriousness of HIV/AIDS to Jamaica, the government needs, as a matter of policy, to seek to provide for the mandatory testing for HIV/AIDS. However, mandatory testing can only be accepted as a matter of policy if the government will provide for mandatory treatment for those in need. Thus, the addition of antiretroviral drugs to the list of drugs available under the National Health Fund would be crucial. Additionally, massive public education and, where necessary, severe criminal penalties must be imposed to counteract incidents of discrimination on account of HIV/AIDS status.
CONCERNS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS
Any move against making HIV/AIDS testing mandatory is certain to trigger concerns about human rights. However, mandatory HIV/AIDS testing would help those affected to become aware of their status and, consequently, take the required steps to ensure they are being properly treated, and that they act in a manner that would minimise or prevent their causing others to become infected. The results of the test, as a matter of law, would in no way be used to stigmatise or deny those so infected jobs, school admission, or otherwise.
Mandatory HIV/AIDS testing ought not to be seen as an intrusion on the personal liberty of the citizenry, but an action warranted in furtherance of the maintenance of good public health. Indeed, the law requires that we are vaccinated against certain diseases or conditions, such as measles, as a matter of public health concerns.
THREAT TO NATIONAL HEALTH
While measles and some such conditions against which we are inoculated are contagious or otherwise spread by mere casual contact with an infected person, where HIV/AIDS is concerned, there can only be transmission as a result of specific circumstances or behaviours. While true, the fact of the matter is that HIV/AIDS, like measles or tuberculosis, poses a threat to the national health and, as such, there ought to be public policy measures to prevent it from becoming a national disaster.
Certainly, one of, if not the most effective measures against the spread of HIV/AIDS is behavioural changes. However, with such a huge population of people unaware of their living with HIV/AIDS, such a measure cannot be relied upon solely. Thus, the mandatory testing of our people serves to do more good than harm.
I am, etc.,
KEVIN KO SANGSTER
sangstek@msn.com
New Jersey
Via Go-Jamaica
