I READ with concern the article, 'Most with Aids virus don't know they have it' (ST, July 18). It is disturbing to learn that there is a significant number of HIV-infected people who have not yet been diagnosed.
These people endanger themselves, their sexual partners, families and possibly health-care workers. As they are undiagnosed, they may not get the right medical treatment. This affects their health and lives.
Early diagnosis and treatment of HIV can save lives and reduce the possibility of misdiagnosis. This will benefit the infected individuals and society as a whole.
Though there is currently no mandatory testing, doctors should be able to conduct HIV tests on patients, without the need to get their prior consent.
There should be screening and diagnosis points built into our medical system. For instance, patients undergoing operations, including eye operations, can have their blood tested automatically as part of the treatment process.
Patients displaying symptoms of HIV infection should also have their blood tested during medical treatment, without the need to seek their consent.
More can be done to educate people, especially the ones with at-risk behaviour, about the need to undergo blood tests.
In this way, HIV infection can be diagnosed and treated earlier. It can also reduce the spread of HIV and the increase in Aids cases.
