DA Wants H.I.V Testing Without Consent

[Lounger]

SIPOKAZI ***AZI

Health Writer

A SENIOR DA politician has become the latest member of his party to become embroiled in a battle with medical experts and NGOs after questioning why people in SA should not be tested for HIV/Aids without their consent.

Jack Bloom, the DA’s spokesman for health in Gauteng, said the government’s approach to HIV testing – which involved getting people’s consent and testing with their knowledge – had allowed people’s rights to privacy to take precedence over the right to life.

He also suggested the only way to stop the spread of the HI virus was to encourage people to be faithful to their partners, rather than focusing on condom use.

The DA’s statements on, and apparent attitudes, to HIV/Aids have sparked several controversies in recent weeks.

Party leader Helen Zille was roundly slammed by legal experts and clinicians for suggesting men who have multiple sexual partners and refuse to use condoms be charged with attempted murder.

Then, in her capacity as Western Cape Premier, Zille unveiled a competition with cash prizes for people who visited testing centres and were tested for HIV/Aids during the 16 Days of Activism.

This earned her huge criticism, as well as a great deal of praise, but it was her comments on the “Aids Gestapo” – organisations working on HIV/Aids matters – that really infuriated experts.

Now Bloom is in the firing line.

While he did not openly call for a change in testing policy, this week Bloom repeatedly questioned why HIV/Aids was treated differently from other diseases in that testing for it required a patient’s consent.

“We started off on the wrong foot with Aids right from the start because of ‘progressives’ who decided that, unlike any other diseases, informed consent was needed before diagnostic testing,” he said.

“So if a doctor suspected that a patient had HIV he couldn’t go ahead and test as he would do for any other life-threatening disease.”

His comments have drawn the ire of health experts and activists, although many prominent organisations and clinicians, including the Treatment Action Campaign, have refused to comment, saying his remarks are not worth their time.

Yesterday Bloom downplayed his comments on informed consent in testing, but did not retract them or offer more details on his attitude.

Instead, he took aim at the government’s “condomise” message, saying that although Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi was encouraging people to be faithful, this message was being overpowered by the department’s focus on condoms.

“First, unless it is to prevent pregnancy, condoms inevitably indicate distrust that one partner is not faithful. Second, condoms can give a false sense of security and encourage more partners, and they are often used inconsistently, particularly when alcohol is involved.”

He said he was not discouraging condom use, but that more emphasis should be placed on faithfulness.

Mark Heywood, the director of Section 27, formerly the Aids Law Project, said Bloom’s remarks were irresponsible and unfortunate.

Bloom’s statement “reveals his ignorance on fundamental issues around HIV. He talks about HIV testing being treated differently from other diseases, but what he doesn’t seem to realise is that HIV/Aids is a very profound disease that is life-changing, hence it’s important that it’s done differently from others. Proper consent for HIV testing is therefore very important...”

Dean Peacock, executive director of the Sonke Gender and Justice Network, said Bloom

“is attempting to portray himself as a health expert, which he is not. He is also being ignorant of the reality... to moralise the issue of sexual choices is just ignorant. You can’t assume that people are involved in long-term relationships because many people aren’t. You can’t preach to people on how to make their sexual choices... it is their prerogative. All we need do in this country is to ensure that people are having safe sex and that they have access to resources such as condoms to protect themselves from infection”.

Heywood also criticised Bloom for suggesting more money should be used to build hospitals, schools and roads instead of being spent on HIV.

“If we don’t (spend) money on the treatment of HIV we can be guaranteed that our hospitals will be overflowing. You can’t just push the issue of HIV and invest all the money on roads and building schools. Who will go to those schools if people are dying? You can’t treat HIV as a stand-alone issue,” he said.

sipokazi.***[email protected]

http://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/da-s-new-hiv-clanger-1.1198601
One gaff after another. They are going for a hat trick.:wtf:

 

[marine1]

I dont know how I feel about this. Surely it should be law to be tested however it should be law to protect one's identity?

 

[killadoob]

http://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/da-s-new-hiv-clanger-1.1198601
One gaff after another. They are going for a hat trick.:wtf:

In terms of political suicide yes. On the issue of mandatory testing without a doubt.

I still fail to grasp why the biggest killer in africa is allowed to just spread without much worry. I would take even more extreme measures actually. Things like tattoo's or some sort of warning system to ensure they cannot have sex. It should be illegal to have sex if you are infected and it should carry a jail term. I don't actually care how a person got it. It should be treated the same way an airborne disease would be treated.

Not sure exactly how it could be done but this disease is bad and it seems nobody gives a rat ass. Let some swine flu kill 1 person and the whole world is on alert while aids takes down 7000 a day.

 

[w1z4rd]

Considering how many people are irresponsible with getting tested, perhaps this is needed in SA.

 

[satanboy]

Something as sensitive and personal as this surely would require a referendum to be passed?

 

[w1z4rd]

Something as sensitive and personal as this surely would require a referendum to be passed?

... and has to be tested by the concourt. I doubt it will get passed, but it is important.

Many "rural" people are not willing to get their status checked and they are the single biggest reason why HIV is killing people. If you are killing people with aids cause you were too lazy to get tested.... shouldnt there be a consequence for that? Should the person not be responsible for knowing if they are HIV positive or not, and if they refuse to be responsible, should they not be told they have to be tested?

 

[SmartKit]

Had they suspected ebola or swine flu you would be tested with scant regard to your rights. When did the right to privacy trump the right to life? AIDS kills more people than ebola and swine flu, why should it not receive the same scrutiny?

 

[LazyLion]

In a nation of dumb people, this kind of drastic action might be needed.

Otherwise what will we say? "oh, no just let them die!" We can't say that.

 

[news24]

... and has to be tested by the concourt. I doubt it will get passed, but it is important.

Many "rural" people are not willing to get their status checked and they are the single biggest reason why HIV is killing people. If you are killing people with aids cause you were too lazy to get tested.... shouldnt there be a consequence for that? Should the person not be responsible for knowing if they are HIV positive or not, and if they refuse to be responsible, should they not be told they have to be tested?

Are you serious? What do you know about village people? They get tested like everyone else, they only appear idiotic because they make far less money than say you, right?

You remind me of Tony Leon when he blamed global warming on the poor

 

[w1z4rd]

In a nation of dumb people, this kind of drastic action might be needed.

Otherwise what will we say? "oh, no just let them die!" We can't say that.

Thats what I am thinking. Im not happy about having to give up a small freedom here (like the freedom to choose to be tested or not tested)... but I cant think of a reasonable reason as to why I would disagree to a HIV test (anyone?).

Im not against this. It would most likely sort out the problem in a big way.

 

[w1z4rd]

Are you serious? What do you know about village people?

They sing the YMCA.

Though rurual people, I was brought up on a farm (my family have major farms, our family has being farming the land we farm now since the 1800`s) . In the eastern cape rural context I know what I am talking about. Yes, many rural people get tested. Many more dont. They dont even go to doctors. They have sangoma`s. They still live in the old ways. I grew up with this, I see it all the time. Ive seen it all, from the cutting off of pinky fingers too being told that the way to cure aids is by sleeping with a virgin.

They get tested like everyone else, they only appear idiotic because they make far less money than say you, right?

They do not know as much as me, as they have not been given the same level of education as me and access to the same resources I have had. Rural people are rural people the world over. Less educated than their urban counterparts. Hence the reason Republicans are mostly rural people. Hence the reason ANC supporters are mostly rural people. Hence the reason rural people are generally more superstitious than their urban counterparts.

Your reason was very freaky..

You remind me of Tony Leon when he blamed global warming on the poor

Im not sure if you actually understand either the issue here or rural people here. HIV is more a RURAL problem than an urban one. Its easier to educate the people in urban environment than change people in rural areas who still stick to the old beliefs.

What rural area do you have experience with that you cant see this? Cause from my Eastern Cape rural perspective you dont seem to know what you are talking about.

 

[biometrics]

Are you people nuts?!

Forced testing, huh!? Are we going to be rounded up on the streets and tattooed on our foreheads?

It's simple really, keep it in your pants.

FFS

 

[w1z4rd]

Are you people nuts?!

Forced testing, huh!? Are we going to be rounded up on the streets and tattooed on our foreheads?

It's simple really, keep it in your pants.

FFS

Is thats what happened when you were forced to get an ID? When you were forced to get a drivers licence? When you were forced to go to school? Really now. Think of this as a liscence to show that you are responsible enough to have sex. Just like having a car licence is to show that you are responsible enough to drive.

Seriously, is a simple HIV test not worth the lives to you?

Its simple, most people who need this dont own a PC to see your simple solution.

 

[news24]

They sing the YMCA.

Though rurual people, I was brought up on a farm. In the eastern cape rural context I know what I am talking about. Yes, many rural people get tested. Many more dont. They dont even go to doctors. They have sangoma`s. They still live in the old ways.

I wish I knew what is YMCA, don't look down on people because of their believes. Most black people who are highly educated and so called "Christians", still visit Sangomas. It's one thing I never understood, but I wont judge them because of their choice. Those poor people they don't get tested at the Dr's room, they get tested at public clinics because that's all they could afford. You grew up in the farm? How long was that, how old are you? I grew up in a village, my parents are still staying in a village, people there are very clued up about safe sex, they get tested, practice safe sex some are getting ARVs, it's been ages since I heard that someone died of HIV, 10 years ago HIV fatalities were massive, not so today.

They are not as intelligent as me, as they have not been given the same level of education as me and access to the same resources I have had. Rural people are rural people the world over. Less educated than their urban counterparts.

The majority of the idiots today think that a degree or a better pay grade makes them intelligent. Reality check, no amount of money, or university degree will earn you intelligence.

Oh thats nice. So how does that make you feel?

I don't have to translate emoticons now, or do I have to? Your supposed to be intelligent, remember?

 

[biometrics]

Is thats what happened when you were forced to get an ID? When you were forced to get a drivers licence? When you were forced to go to school? Really now. Think of this as a liscence to show that you are responsible enough to have sex. Just like having a car licence is to show that you are responsible enough to drive.

Seriously, is a simple HIV test not worth the lives to you?

Its simple, most people who need this dont own a PC to see your simple solution.

What about TB, Herpes etc. Why stop at HIV?

 

[news24]

I don't believe in forced HIV tests, it's a good idea though, I will only support it if the right safe guards are in place. Doing an HIV test is not like getting a licence, or going to school. We need to be ready to deal with the psychological outfall the will follow. You can't just test people and walk away from it, people need to be assured of safe guards.

What if you find out your positive and the government have no means of providing you with ARV's? How will you stay positive?

 

[news24]

What about TB, Herpes etc. Why stop at HIV?

+1,
I agree 100%, while we are at it, why don't we do a national DNA database? When a child is born a biological parents can be established on the fly, and this will teach the "always playing victim" ladies that its not cool to hand over a "hand's ball" to another man.

 

[w1z4rd]

I wish I knew what is YMCA, don't look down on people because of their believes.

Of course I will. Like I do with the Nazi belief, the Jihad belief, the communist belief. People who dont want their beliefs laughed at should not have funny beliefs.

Most black people who are highly educated and so called "Christians", still visit Sangomas. It's one thing I never understood, but I wont judge them because of their choice.

What choice does the woman who gets infected with HIV have?

Those poor people they don't get tested at the Dr's room, they get tested at public clinics because that's all they could afford.

Yes I know. I have serviced many of these clinics in the Transkei. You should see the HIV bodies piling up... you dont wanna go near some of those clinics when their generators break.

You grew up in the farm? How long was that, how old are you? I grew up in a village, my parents are still staying in a village, people there are very clued up about safe sex, they get tested, practice safe sex some are getting ARVs, it's been ages since I heard that someone died of HIV, 10 years ago HIV fatalities were massive, not so today.

Where is this village? It sounds very enabled. Come visit the Eastern Cape. I can tell you are not from here. My family still owns the farm. I visited it last about two weeks ago. If I could get some kinda ADSL out there I would even consider moving back.

The majority of the idiots today think that a degree or a better pay grade makes them intelligence. Reality check, no amount of money, or university degree will earn you intelligence.

Intelligence is a phenotype. Habitat + Genetics. So yes, if you are intelligence, education will definitely help you. A person with a degree will generally know more than a rural person with a Grade 10 education watching goats.

I don't have to translate emoticons now, or do I have to? Your supposed to be intelligent, remember?

I dont understand crazy, so translations help

 

[w1z4rd]

What about TB, Herpes etc. Why stop at HIV?

I suppose because of the rather terminal nature of HIV/AIDS. You can cure someone with TB, and Im not against the herpes test being included with the HIV one.... I mean... while we are at it.

 

[w1z4rd]

find out your positive and the government have no means of providing you with ARV's? How will you stay positive?

:erm: Clinics provide ARVs....