NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS

THE admission form looks the same - with the addition of a clause that could be crucial in the fight against Aids: "I do not want to be screened for HIV".

From yesterday, all adult inpatients at Changi General Hospital (CGH) had to sign against that statement if they did not want to be tested for HIV.

But even as Singapore's pilot voluntary, opt-out HIV-testing scheme takes off, it seems more must be done to shift society's attitudes on managing the disease.

Attitudes towards managing HIV must change, as voluntary screening pilot starts.

ON MONDAY, Changi General Hospital (CGH) will become the first hospital here to offer opt-out HIV testing for inpatients 21 years and above. Patients can decline to be tested.

They can indicate their preference in a general consent form for medical treatment, given to them on admission. Those who agree to the blood test will pay between $6 and $23, depending on the ward class.

Soon, you could be tested for HIV in the same way you currently take a pregnancy test - in the privacy of your own home, with a home test kit.

Oral-based kit to be available here once it gets US FDA approval.

Only 5% of infected heterosexuals detected via voluntary testing.

WITH 356 newly-detected cases of HIV reported here between January and October, this year's final total is on track to surpass last year's figure of 357 - and set a new high.

IMAGINE this: Self-administering an HIV test could be as convenient and accessible as a pregnancy test.

Dr Balaji Sadasivan, the Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Information, Communications and the Arts, has hopes now that an oral self-test kit able to give results in 20 minutes is available.

HPB wants firms to educate about Aids, sex disease

Sexually -transmitted infections (STI), mental wellness and chronic diseases ranked fairly low in workplace halth programmes (WHP), a survey has revealed.

HIV law is only part of the equation

Letter from KAREN TAN
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health

MR GOH Kian Huat supported the proposed legislative amendment to require those with high-risk sexual behaviour to do regular HIV testing, inform their sexual partners and/or use condoms. But he felt that it would be difficult to enforce the new law ("How will authorities know?" Oct 3).

How will authorities know?

Proposed HIV legislation will only be as effective as it can be enforced

I REFER to the report, "Know or don't know, it's still illegal" (Sept 29-30). Until a cure is found, a person infected with the HIV virus has effectively been given a death sentence. He or she has the potential to kill others by passing the virus on to them. And if the victim dies as a result, a "murder" has been committed.

THE law may compel you to do certain things, but can it endow you with reason in the heat of passion?

An ignorance-no-excuse law may yet discourage some from taking HIV tests.

THE Government doesn't want to pry into your bedroom. But it does want you to be responsible if you engage in high-risk sexual behaviour, as what you do in your most private moments may have repercussions on public health here.

Bottom line? Go for HIV test as ignorance is no longer an excuse.

Many heterosexual men still ignorant of sex-related diseases

The ignorance is staggering. Many men infected with HIV know almost nothing about sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/Aids before they get infected.

Campaigns focusing on those at high risk could promote denial and a false sense of security.

It is winning the battle against HIV. The Australian state of New South Wales has seen the number of HIV cases reported each year generally dropping over the past decade. And now Singapore knows why, after its first study trip of this kind.

Health Minister 'seriously considering' op-out scheme to stem tide.

With recent statistics pointing to a worrying Aids trend here, the Government is thinking of extending the opt-out scheme to HIV-testing, too. So, if you are male, admitted to a hospital and have not opted out, then don't be surprised if you are asked to take an HIV test.

IT WILL soon be more convenient to get tested for HIV because rapid-test kits are likely to be available at more clinics.

But should patient anonymity also be extended to more clinics?