Michael Creed
Question:97 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will facilitate the introduction of HIV testing for pregnant women. [5747/98]
Vol. 488 No. 2
97 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will facilitate the introduction of HIV testing for pregnant women. [5747/98]
A programme of anonymous unlinked testing for HIV, as recommended by the surveillance sub-committee of the National AIDS Strategy Committee has been carried out in maternity hospitals and units throughout the country since 1992. Results for the four year period from 1992 to 1996 from this programme show that of the total of 222,687 tests which were carried out, 37 were confirmed HIV positive, giving a rate of 0.017 per cent or 1 in 6,019.