Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Nov 1991

Vol. 412 No. 5

Written Answers. - AIDS Deaths.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

184 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if he will outline (1) the number of deaths which have been recorded from AIDS and (2) the way this figure corresponds with the death certificates issued which have AIDS recorded as cause of death; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The total number of deaths from AIDS is 93, which is made up as follows:—

Homosexuals/Bisexuals	33
IV Drug Abusers	26
Homo/Bisexual/IVDU	6
Haemophiliacs	11
Heterosexual	7
Babies born to IV Drug Abusers	6
Undetermined	4

The scanning of death certificates in respect of persons who have died from diseases associated with damaged immune systems is carried out by the national AIDS co-ordinator of my Department and it has been established that a total of four deaths were associated with AIDS which are recorded in the "undetermined" category in our records.

Deaths from AIDS determined in this way increase our pool of knowledge associated with the diseases and are additional to cases already reported to the Department by the physician in charge of the case.