After writing about the mandatory testing law to be introduced by our MEC of Health next year – at least that is his plan – I reflected more on it and I came to the conclusion, that mandatory testing indeed once again would medically stigmatize people. Patients are entitled to refuse examinations and treatment options – and that also goes in my humble opinion for HIV and AIDS. When I go to a doctor and he recommends a full blood test it is on me to say “yes” or “no” – if I am diagnosed with cancer it is on me whether I chose a treatment option or I let the cancer have its way without any further treatment. So I would suggest to include a HIV test into the normal full blood test, but with a clear “opt out” option.
And consequently I would do away with the pre-test-counselling. I think it is rather a nice way of keeping thousands of people voluntarily or with low pay busy, but it once again segregates this virus. No one is counseled according to a book when he or she might have cancer or any other disease. It is done after a proper diagnose has been done – and that is how we should also treat the patient, who get’s a positive result. I strongly believe that with all the – very often very unprofessional counseling – we scare people away and make the situation more complicated than it is necessary. Again, if somebody wants to have more information before a test – so it be like with every other test; but not more and not less. Let’s start to de-stigmatise HIV first in the medical field…
Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Medical and Research, Reflection, Aids, blood test, doctor, hiv, HIV Treatment, human rights, mandatory testing, mec of health, Medical and Research, pre test counseling, south africa. western cape
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