HAVE YOUR SAY : Should doctors prove their HIV status before treating or operating a patient?

A Doctor in Uganda confessed on his death bed that he had infected over 785 women with (HIV) AIDS. Most of these women had come for treatment in his clinic and unknowingly attained the Virus. Doctors or Nurses are medical practitioners that offer health services to the people while (HIV) AIDS is a Disease that reduces the effectiveness of the immune system. It’s transmitted through direct contact of the bloodstream with a bodily fluid such as blood, semen or vaginal fluids containing the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). If a Doctor is infected he or she may continue to practice his or her work after they have sought and implemented the Counsellors’ advice on the extent that they adjust their profession practice in order to protect their patients. However a Doctor has a right to any confidentiality like any other person so it’s due to the above that I interviewed people to have their say on the issue. KATE DODDS (ADMINISTRATOR) I would like to know if the Doctor treating me is HIV positive because depending on what she or he is doing I would not want them to treat me. I know it’s harsh but true. JUSTUS AMANYA (OPERATIONS MANAGER) Doctors should prove their HIV status because it’s risky to deal with people when you’re sick; however Doctors are under oath so they are usually extremely careful.ANDREW NKURUNZIZA (WRITER) Of course Doctors should prove their HIV status since it makes the situation less risky for the patient. For example I happen to have a friend who acquired the virus when the nurse accidentally pricked her self while she was putting a drip on her although at times some people are just malicious. JANET KAMIKAZI (HOUSE WIFE) I don’t think it matters so long as the Doctor does his or her job right then there is no need of proving their HIV status. RONALD RUGAMBA (STUDENT) I think it’s right for Doctors to prove their HIV status but there is no way he or she can keep telling it to every patient because they won’t come back the next day. WILLIAMS BUTARE (VOLUNTARY WORKER) Most people can’t let a Doctor who is HIV positive treat or operate them hence such information should remain confidential or else patients will run away. Take an example your seated in a bus and then the driver says that he is HIV positive you will see people getting off the bus before reaching their destination thus there is no need for a doctor to pass on such information to the patient. CAROL MUNYANA (MANAGER) Doctors should not prove their HIV status to patients because it affects the trust the patient had in the doctor yet he or she could have perfectly rendered services to the patient. What is your say? Dorau20@yahoo.co.uk

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HAVE YOUR SAY : Should doctors prove their HIV status before treating or operating a patient?