• Covid-19
  • Travel Protocols
  • Immigration & Customs Form
Friday, February 3, 2023
SKNIS
  • Home
  • About
  • Press Releases
  • Parliament
  • In The News
  • Bills
No Result
View All Result
SKNIS
No Result
View All Result
Home Featured

A PERSON’S HIV STATUS SHOULD BE KEPT PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL, SAY HEALTH OFFICIALS

SKNISEditor by SKNISEditor
February 10, 2021
in Featured, In The News
A PERSON’S HIV STATUS SHOULD BE KEPT PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL, SAY HEALTH OFFICIALS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Related posts

International Maritime Organization Scholarships

International Maritime Organization Scholarships

February 2, 2023
IMF IDENTIFIES CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AS A KEY AREA OF FOCUS FOR ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

IMF IDENTIFIES CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AS A KEY AREA OF FOCUS FOR ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

February 2, 2023

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 10, 2021 (SKNIS): A person’s HIV status is categorized as personal medical information and deserves the right to be kept private and confidential at all times, said health officials on Wednesday’s (February 10) edition of ‘Working for You.’

Responding to a question concerning the disclosure of a patient’s status, Dr. Mathias Ofre, National HIV/AIDS Programme Coordinator reminded the caller that such an act is a breach of confidentiality, adding that the laws of the land prohibit the disclosure of medical records.

“Different countries have different rules and regulations and it is ideal that we abide by the rules and regulations and laws of the land. So, if the laws of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis do not permit us to [disclose] the status of patients, it is out of our line to disclose that because it is breaking the law. So, we cannot do that,” said Dr. Ofre.

The National HIV/AIDS Programme Coordinator said that the real fear should not be the known cases, but those who are unaware of their status and are spreading the virus.

“That is the fear because if you don’t know, how will you get to treat yourself and ensure that you have a long productive life?” he asked.

The caller also spoke to the act of persons who deliberately spread the virus. He noted that in some countries such behaviour is considered a criminal act. Lucine Pemberton-Vaughan, Health Educator/Counsellor, indicated that in those countries the “testing has dropped considerably because people know that there are criminal laws” and they refuse to come forward to get tested.

The health officials said that social stigma and discrimination can negatively affect the health and well-being of people living with HIV by discouraging some individuals from learning their status, accessing treatment and or staying in care. They noted that for all those reasons, protecting patients’ identity and keeping their records private and confidential is of significant importance.
-30-

Previous Post

NATIONAL AIDS SECRETARIAT CONTINUES TO PUSH ROBUST EDUCATION PROGRAMME ON HIV/AIDS

Next Post

Caribbean Youth to benefit from UNFPA Sexuality Education Initiative

Next Post
Caribbean Youth to benefit from UNFPA Sexuality Education Initiative

Caribbean Youth to benefit from UNFPA Sexuality Education Initiative

WHAT'S HOT

International Maritime Organization Scholarships

International Maritime Organization Scholarships

February 2, 2023
IMF IDENTIFIES CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AS A KEY AREA OF FOCUS FOR ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

IMF IDENTIFIES CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AS A KEY AREA OF FOCUS FOR ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

February 2, 2023
2023 IMF Report Affirms the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Vision for the Evolution of the CBI Programme

2023 IMF Report Affirms the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Vision for the Evolution of the CBI Programme

February 2, 2023

BROWSE BY CATEGORIES

  • Bills
  • Featured
  • In The News
  • Notices
  • Parliament
  • Press Releases
  • Register of Voters
  • Uncategorized

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Facebook Pagelike Widget

FOLLOW US

CATEGORIES

  • Bills
  • Featured
  • In The News
  • Notices
  • Parliament
  • Press Releases
  • Register of Voters
  • Uncategorized

CONTACT US

Government Headquarters
Church Street
Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis 00265
(869) 467-1416

  • Government of St. Kitts & Nevis

© 2020 St. Kitts & Nevis Information Service. Developed by E-Government Unit

No Result
View All Result
  • Home

© 2020 St. Kitts & Nevis Information Service. Developed by E-Government Unit