SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is conducting a review of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disclosure law and will take the “latest scientific evidence into account”.
This is to ensure continued relevance and alignment with public health policy goals, the ministry said in response to CNA’s queries on Wednesday (Dec 27).
MOH said that it is conducting a review of the Infectious Diseases Act following the White Paper on Singapore's Response to COVID-19 and will take the latest scientific evidence into account when reviewing the sections on HIV.
The ministry has been monitoring medical and scientific advances on the effectiveness of HIV treatment in suppressing the virus.
“Studies show that people living with HIV who have been compliant with treatment and have maintained a stable undetectable viral load have practically no risk of transmitting HIV to their sexual partners,” MOH said.
Singapore currently requires a person living with HIV to inform their partner of the risk of contracting HIV infection before sexual activity takes place.
This current requirement accords “choice and protection” to the partner, who can decide whether to engage in sexual activity and to take precautions if so, such as through the use of condoms, thereby reducing the risk of spreading HIV, the ministry said.
Information relating to the identities of those living with HIV continues to be protected under the Infectious Diseases Act, MOH added.
However, their identities can be disclosed if they are charged in court, as long as it does not lead to the identification of any victims or witnesses.
Six people have been convicted for offences under the Infectious Diseases Act since 2019, said the ministry.
In an update on the HIV and AIDS situation in the country earlier this month, MOH noted that 94 per cent of Singapore’s residents who are living with HIV and undergoing treatment have achieved an undetectable viral load.
Singapore saw 10 per cent more newly diagnosed HIV cases among residents in the first 10 months of 2023 than it did during the same period last year. A total of 188 cases were reported between January and October, MOH said.
This comes after three consecutive years of declining cases, with last year’s number – 202 cases – being the lowest since 1998. There were 250 new HIV infections in 2021, 261 in 2020, and 323 in 2019.
Sexual intercourse remained the main mode of HIV transmission, accounting for 96 per cent of the cases reported in the first half of the year, MOH said.
It added that the most effective way to avoid contracting HIV is to remain faithful to one’s spouse or partner and to avoid casual sex, or sex with sex workers.
The ministry also strongly advised those who have multiple sexual partners or engage in casual or commercial sex to use condoms consistently and correctly to reduce their risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
“In addition, preventive measures like HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis are highly effective when used as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy,” MOH said.
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This is to ensure continued relevance and alignment with public health policy goals, the ministry said in response to CNA’s queries on Wednesday (Dec 27).
MOH said that it is conducting a review of the Infectious Diseases Act following the White Paper on Singapore's Response to COVID-19 and will take the latest scientific evidence into account when reviewing the sections on HIV.
The ministry has been monitoring medical and scientific advances on the effectiveness of HIV treatment in suppressing the virus.
“Studies show that people living with HIV who have been compliant with treatment and have maintained a stable undetectable viral load have practically no risk of transmitting HIV to their sexual partners,” MOH said.
Singapore currently requires a person living with HIV to inform their partner of the risk of contracting HIV infection before sexual activity takes place.
This current requirement accords “choice and protection” to the partner, who can decide whether to engage in sexual activity and to take precautions if so, such as through the use of condoms, thereby reducing the risk of spreading HIV, the ministry said.
Information relating to the identities of those living with HIV continues to be protected under the Infectious Diseases Act, MOH added.
However, their identities can be disclosed if they are charged in court, as long as it does not lead to the identification of any victims or witnesses.
Six people have been convicted for offences under the Infectious Diseases Act since 2019, said the ministry.
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In an update on the HIV and AIDS situation in the country earlier this month, MOH noted that 94 per cent of Singapore’s residents who are living with HIV and undergoing treatment have achieved an undetectable viral load.
Singapore saw 10 per cent more newly diagnosed HIV cases among residents in the first 10 months of 2023 than it did during the same period last year. A total of 188 cases were reported between January and October, MOH said.
This comes after three consecutive years of declining cases, with last year’s number – 202 cases – being the lowest since 1998. There were 250 new HIV infections in 2021, 261 in 2020, and 323 in 2019.
Sexual intercourse remained the main mode of HIV transmission, accounting for 96 per cent of the cases reported in the first half of the year, MOH said.
It added that the most effective way to avoid contracting HIV is to remain faithful to one’s spouse or partner and to avoid casual sex, or sex with sex workers.
The ministry also strongly advised those who have multiple sexual partners or engage in casual or commercial sex to use condoms consistently and correctly to reduce their risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
“In addition, preventive measures like HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis are highly effective when used as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy,” MOH said.
Continue reading...