AIDS (Education and state of preparedness)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Acting Minister for Health (a) how many cases of confirmed Aids and Aids-carriers have been detected in Singapore to date; (b) whether our hospital facilities are adequate and medical professionals prepared to tackle this deadly disease; and (c) what measures are being taken to educate our population on Aids.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, there are nine AIDS carriers and one confirmed AIDS case in Singapore to date.

Since 1985 medical personnel of both Government and private sectors have been educated on the management of AIDS patients. Several specialists have been sent to key AIDS centres in the USA and Europe to study the experience of their specialists in the prevention and treatment of AIDS. Precautionary guidelines have been issued to all Government and private hospitals and laboratories for their reference on such matters as handling and disposal of potentially contaminated laboratory specimens.

The Ministry of Health has an action plan covering all aspects of management of AIDS patients and carriers in Singapore.

One ward in the Communicable Disease Centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital has been redeveloped to provide in-patient and intensive hospital care for seriously ill AIDS patients. Outpatient follow-up of AIDS carriers and patients between episodes of illnesses will be carried out in the Middle Road Hospital as well as the Communicable Disease Centre.

Since 1985 a systematic health education programme on AIDS has been established for the population. Information brochures, talks and counselling have been provided by my Ministry for high-risk groups, such as prostitutes and homosexuals. In addition, general education, talks, lectures and seminars on AIDS have been conducted for community groups, blood donors, schools and SAF personnel.

Mr Teo Chong Tee (Changi): Sir, despite the small number as reported by the Hon. Acting Minister, may I ask the Hon. Acting Minister whether he considers the present situation alarming enough to warrant a national campaign?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Whilst the situation warrants close monitoring by the Ministry, however, we do not feel that it warrants a national campaign other than a general education campaign to ensure that members of the population understand how AIDS is contracted.

Mr Tang See Chim (Chua Chu Kang): Sir, may I ask the Minister whether blood donors are screened for AIDS to ensure that the blood donated is AIDS-free?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, all blood donations are tested for the AIDS virus and antibodies before they are allowed to be used.

Dr Wang Kai Yuen (Bukit Timah): Would the Minister consider placing confirmed cases of AIDS and also AIDS carriers in quarantine if they were known to ply the world's oldest profession?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, the plan for the Ministry with regard to members of the world's oldest profession, as the Member has called it, who have contracted AIDS is to counsel them and try to find them alternative employment.

Mr Yeo Choo Kok (Delta): Sir, out of the 79 constituencies, which constituency has the most concentrated AIDS patients?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: I am sorry I do not have the information on that.

Mr Chng Hee Kok (Radin Mas): Will the Minister inform the House as to the cost of the 100% testing of blood that has been practised by the Blood Bank? Does he have any idea what is the cost at the moment?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: The cost of the (Elisa) test previously was about $6.50 per test. Each year we have about 60,000 donations. So I suppose if you do a simple multiplication, it is about $400,000.

Mr Tang See Chim: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the Minister what alternative employment he has in mind for these people?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: We will have to first see what is their level of skills and education and then try to find them employment in keeping with their level of skills. And, where necessary, we will refer them to the Ministry of Labour for assistance.