asked the Minister for Health if he will make AIDS a notifiable disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - AIDS.
33.
I do not propose to make AIDS a notifiable disease. Since 1984, my Department have been operating a special monitoring system under which AIDS cases are reported to the Department on a confidential and voluntary basis. The criteria used for defining and for the diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance of cases of AIDS are based on the most up-to-date guidelines issued by the Centre for Communicable Diseases Control, Atlanta and approved by the WHO.
I am happy with the operation of this scheme on a voluntary basis and I would be concerned that a change to a statutory scheme could give rise to fears, albeit unfounded, in relation to confidentiality and result in a reduction in the numbers coming forward for HIV testing and treatment of the disease.