The senior minister for health warned on Wednesday of an "AIDS epidemic" in Singapore and cited a sharp increase in infections among the homosexual community. Dr. Balaji Sadasivan told parliament the total number of new cases in 2004 reached a high of 311, nearly 30 per cent more than the previous year. "This could be the tip of the iceberg," he said, noting there may be 4,000 to 8,000 undiagnosed patients with the AIDS-causing HIV virus in the city-state of 4 million people where the disease is still shrouded in taboos. The ministry is moving to make testing simpler for people at risk with over-the-counter HIV test kits, he said. It is also looking at making testing compulsory for pregnant mothers to ensure 100 per cent screening for babies, Balaji added. Women currently have the option of refusing such tests. To protect spouses, Balaji said, "There is a need to balance the right to confidentiality of the AIDS patient with the right to protect those at risk." "The current patient legislation appears to be tilted in favour of the patient," he said. "This is one reason the AIDS epidemic is not coming under control." --more 1423 Local Time 1123 GMT
