Peadar Clohessy
Question:62 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Health his views on whether anti-natal testing for HIV should be routinely offered to all pregnant women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7059/95]
Written Answers. - Voluntary HIV Testing Programme.
Limerick East): Since 1985, a programme of voluntary HIV testing has been available from a number of sources including general practitioners, and out-patient departments of some general hospitals. The HIV-AIDS surveillance sub-committee of the national AIDS strategy committee meets on a regular basis to consider relevant issues relating to surveillance.
A programme of anonymous unlinked surveillance of surplus blood taken at ante-natal clinics commenced in October 1992 as was recommended by the surveillance sub-committee. The sub-committee, in recommending that such a surveillance programme should be undertaken, was also of the view that it should be in operation for at least three years before any valid conclusions could be drawn from the statistics produced. This three year period will expire in October 1995, and it would be premature, therefore, at this stage, to comment in detail on the statistics available from the programme. I understand, however, that preliminary results indicate that the incidence of HIV is in line with that of other countries such as the United Kingdom.