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World Health Organisation suggests HIV testing as standard

Universal testing the answer?

Thursday, 27 November 2008

You know the routine. Visit the GP and run of the mill cholesterol or high blood pressure tests are always an added extra from a through practitioner. This week the World Health Organisation (WHO) published a reported that suggested such universal testing could be used in the fight against HIV / AIDS. Research by WHO suggests that such testing could eliminate the number of people developing full blown aids by 95%. They also claim such a strategy could virtually eliminate transmission of the disease.

But there are reservations with the World Health Organisation stating that weak health systems across the world meant universal testing was not “a realistic idea”. Other concerns came from International HIV Aids Alliance who raised the issue of treatment for those not yet ill with HIV due to the toxicity and side effects of antiretroviral drugs.

Add concerns about stigma and the availability of drugs in many countries and the debate continues. Universal testing may appear to save lives but whether it is against an individual’s human rights is the question now occupying many. A case of protecting of the public good against the benefit of the individual or a necessary step to reduce the numbers infected?

Numbers you need to read. One of the author’s of the report Kevin de Cock, HIV/Aids director at the WHO, highlighted the numbers concerned in HIV-hit regions. “In 2007, 3 million people were on drugs, but 7 million were in imminent danger of dying if they did not get them soon. A further 23 million people were HIV positive and 2.7 million became infected last year. All will eventually need drugs to stay alive. The G8 promised universal access to treatment by 2010, but as the numbers expand, it will become ever harder and more costly to achieve.”

www.who.int/en/