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Health minister apposes mandatory HIV testing


	Sunday 13 March 2005

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ZAMBIA: Health minister apposes mandatory HIV testing

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 7 June (PLUSNEWS) - There will be no mandatory HIV testing in Zambia, Health Minister Brian Chituwo has said.

Zambia's National AIDS Council (NAC) recently announced that plans to place at least 100,000 people on anti-AIDS treatment by 2005, and called for mandatory HIV/AIDS testing in hospitals and health centres to reach this target.

However, the minister said that forcing people to test for HIV was an infringement of their rights.

Chituwo was quoted by a local newspaper, The Post, as saying: "Zambia's stand on HIV testing is that it should be strictly voluntary. We have to respect individual rights and it is up to the individual to decide whether to get tested or not."

[ENDS]

MORE NEWS BRIEFS

Recent ZAMBIA Reports

University launches free ARV treatment on campus, 4/Feb/05

Second-class women left behind in access queue , 17/Dec/04

Interview with Minister of Health Dr Brian Chituwo , 16/Dec/04

Inexpensive antibiotic offers hope to HIV positive kids, 19/Nov/04

Manufacture of anti-AIDS drugs set to begin, 17/Sep/04

Links

Le portail d'informations générales de la Côte d’Ivoire

The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria

AEGIS

Mothers and HIV/AIDS

PlusNews does not take responsibility for info in links supplied.

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