|
Singapore AIDS Policy
At the end of 1988, the Ministry of Health reported
thirty-four
cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) among
Singaporeans; four of these cases resulted in death. The
first two
cases were identified in 1985. Thereafter the incidence
increased;
five new cases were reported in December 1988 alone. In
1987 the
Ministry of Health established an AIDS Task Force to
inform health
professionals of research on and treatment programs for
the
disease. A National Advisory Committee, also formed in
1987, with
representatives from the Ministry of Health, other
ministries, the
public media, hotels, and travel agencies concentrated on
educating
the public about the disease. The Ministry of Health
worked with
WHO, adapting its information and strategies to local
circumstances. All blood donors were routinely screened
for AIDS,
and blood screening could be done at designated government
clinics.
In 1989 the Ministry of Health was sponsoring education
programs on
AIDS and offering confidential counseling to people
worried that
they might be infected. The ministry was trying to reach
members of
high-risk groups, but many of them refused counseling from
fear of
being identified and stigmatized.
Data as of December 1989
|
