A man shows a picture of United States Senator Barack Obama with a local politician as people gather to witness an HIV/AIDS test taken by Obama at a mobile clinic in Kisumu, Kenya, on August 26. Obama took the test with his wife Michelle to set an example for the tens of thousands of men and women who fear the stigma of being tested for the disease ravaging sub-Saharan Africa. - Reuters
Leave freedom of choice alone
THE EDITOR, Sir:
It's full time somebody stands and says, 'stop the double talk!' Sure, we would like to have everyone tested and know his/her status and then be responsible sexually. But let's face it, we say this is the person's right to decide to get tested or not. That should remain so. Let's work on persons, especially employers, to be more caring with persons who test positive. Find a way to make the employee feel comfortable and assured that if tested positive, they will have a job as long as they can perform their duties.
Yes, we talk about confidentiality, but the boss will say, 'I had a need to tell my board and each supervisor has a need to tell those whom he supervises', and the word keeps spreading.
Let's face it, getting tested may mean no job, no income, loss of ability to take care of basic needs, including buying medication. This is the real world; let people get tested if they want. Don't take away my freedom of choice. Deal with the issues, educate everyone involved and leave freedom of choice alone.
I am, etc.,
Carla Ledgister
Chairperson
Trelawny Parish AIDS Association
ledgyc@hotmail.com
No longer a death sentence
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I disagree that it is necessary for an employer to know the HIV status of his/her staff. I think it is very intrusive, unlawful, unethical and an invasion of a person's privacy. It is a well-known fact that you can't get HIV/AIDS by touching or sharing the same bathroom or utensils with an infected person. How is it then vital for an employer to know his employee's status when he/she is not putting his/her work colleagues at risk? It's not like some years ago when people with AIDS died quickly. With the Ministry of Health's subsidised treatment programme, antiretroviral drugs are now available at a reasonable cost for infected persons. HIV is no longer a death sentence, as infected persons are living longer, healthier lives.
I am, etc.,
Tracey Tucker
tntucker9@hotmail.com
What happens after?
THE EDITOR, Sir:
My view on this issue is that once the employer finds out the employee has the virus, he/she will terminate that person's employment. By testing an employee, one's privacy is invaded.
My question is, once that person is tested and the results reveal that he/she is HIV-positive or has AIDS, what is the next step? What is the employer going to do with this new information, keep it confidential or tell it to the other employees?
I am, etc.,
Nadia Mattis
Bronx, NY
nmattis@hmi-inc.com
Nationwide testing
campaign needed
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Testing employees for HIV/ AIDS is a human rights issue and should not be permitted. Refusing to employ a person with AIDS is a form of discrimination and denies a person the right to earn an honest living, and the ability to manage the disease.
It was not so long ago in Jamaica that people confined to wheelchairs could not use buses (no such service existed then to accommodate them), or work in our office buildings (they were not wheelchair-accessible). We should get used to living and working with HIV/AIDS victims and find ways to integrate them into our society, not marginalise them. Let's get rid of the leper syndrome. If HIV/AIDS victims are made to feel good about themselves, they are more likely to venture out of the shadows to seek help.
Jamaica should launch a nationwide testing campaign for HIV/AIDS much the same way we had the literacy programmes in the 1970s. All testing should be done free of charge by the Ministry of Health. HIV/AIDS is a national issue and all responsibility for testing should be done through the Health Ministry, using private or public facilities. This would inspire more confidence and more people would be encouraged to get themselves tested. Giving employers the right to test employees for HIV/AIDS only serves to push victims further underground and will not help the national strategy to tackle HIV/AIDS in Jamaica.
I am, etc.,
Fitz Brown
Ottawa, Canada
fitz61@sympatico.ca
For their protection
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I believe employees should be tested for HIV/AIDS. They can be treated early to prevent the disease from spreading, as well as get a chance to prevent full-blown AIDS.
I am, etc.,
G.K.
