----- Original Message -----
From: "Elisabeth Carvalho" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
At first thought, this feels like a logical step in the prevention of AIDS
... But no matter how you dice it, it is in the end an invasion of
personal privacy.
.........................................
Elisabeth,
You are so right. It would appear that the Goa Government has not made a
decision of the issue and discussions will take place. The Goa Government
does have the unfortunate tendency of announcing topics for discussion as
decisions. An excellent article on the compulsory HIV testing appeared very
recently in the Gulf News and it makes compulsive reading:
HEADLINE: Goans Say HIV Check-Up Before Marriage Should be Voluntary
BY: Randolph Barros, Staff Reporter
SOURCE: Gulf News (Dubai). March 18, 2006
Full text:
Dubai: The western Indian state of Goa yesterday planned to make the HIV
test mandatory for the registration of marriage.
Dayanand Narvekar, the state health minister, said the government was
planning to amend the Goa Public Health Act in this regard.
The minister said the amendment would be thrown open for public debate which
would include NGOs (non governmental organisations) and individuals in the
coming months and put before the state legislative assembly during its
session in July.
Narvekar said there should be a national debate on issues like morality and
privacy before giving final shape to the amendment.
If the amendment comes through, Goa will be the first state in India to have
a mandatory test for HIV before marriage.
Goans who are known for their broad-minded approach to life were very touchy
on the planned amendment, especially about the fact that tests would be
mandatory.
On the other hand, they said the move would help put the brakes on the
spread of the disease.
Fr Simplicio D'Souza, a lecturer at the Rachol Seminary in south Goa, said,
"The government cannot force an HIV test on people planning to get married.
Confidentiality is paramount. I welcome the move as regards public health
and safety of the spouse."
Fr D'Souza added that the government should keep the social values and
outlook of citizens in mind before embarking on such an amendment.
"The social stigma associated with HIV/Aids patients is huge in our state.
We are a small state and everyone knows everyone. What happens if the news
leaks? Who will take care of the person who has been tested positive? The
repercussions must be taken into account."
A medical officer at a government hospital in the commercial capital Margao
said HIV tests at present were purely voluntary. Dr Oween Albuquerque said
the hospital had counselling cells to help people who wanted to be tested.
Doctors, he said, could only inform the patient if he or she tested
positive. If a person volunteered, they would undergo pre-test and post-test
counselling.
Saba da Silva, senior lecturer at the G.R. Kare College of Law in Goa, said
confidentiality should not be compromised. "No one should be forced to take
a test. Yes, tests will help public health and help curb the spread of this
global killer disease."
Da Silva said views of NGOs are very important. "They deal with the ground
realities of HIV/Aids on a daily basis." He also said the two-month period
for debate was very short. "At least six months would be ideal." Fr D'Souza
shared the same views. "It will be a disaster if the state government rushes
through with this amendment," he said.
Goan expatriates in Dubai expressed mixed feelings. Natasha Travasso, an
airlines employee who is getting married in June, said the test should be
purely voluntary. "People sometimes marry knowing fully well that their
partner has got a disease, should the government intervene?"
Ashley Rodrigues, a musician, welcomed the move. He said many Goans live
abroad. "They go back home to get married and the spouse-to-be has no idea
of his or her lifestyle. Testing would help save lives." Rodrigues said
confidentiality was very important. In a small community like Goa, once it
leaks that the person is a HIV carrier, he or she will become an outcast, he
said.
An office manager, Cheryl D'Sa said she completely agreed with the tests. "I
have heard of cases where girls have been married to HIV positive men who
did not inform their spouse about the disease. Their lives have been wasted.
This amendment should have taken place earlier."
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Forwarded by Eddie Fernandes
