Many HIV-infected persons in S'pore more vulnerable following leak: HIV researcher

He calls for more protection for them.

Joshua Lee | January 29, 2019, 01:57 PM

You might have read that information from Singapore's HIV Registry was stolen and leaked recently.

This leak concerns a vulnerable population. People living with HIV (PLHIV) depend on the confidentiality of the HIV Registry to work and live without being stigmatised.

PLHIV more worse off

According to Rayner Tan, a HIV researcher, PLHIV in Singapore are now worse off:

"While the data may not be entirely retrievable and we can’t reverse the damage that has been done, those who are living with HIV are now placed at an even more vulnerable position than before," wrote Tan.

"With this data out in the open, people living with HIV can no longer be promised the (limited) protection of identities offered by the Infectious Disease Act in Singapore. Research has shown that many HIV-positive individuals may choose not to disclose their status to others so as to retain ‘normal’ identities that allow them to keep their jobs, or maintain their relationships with friends, family, or co-workers; just the mere thought of how this data leak may threaten the stability of such relationships may destabilise these support networks that are essential for maintaining a good quality of life among those living with HIV."

Tan added that PLHIV cannot speak out for themselves or end up disclosing their HIV status. "This may in fact drive people living with HIV deeper into a shroud of guilt and shame surrounding their HIV status," wrote Tan.

PLHIV that Today spoke to - on condition of anonymity - said that they are very worried, angry and fearful for themselves and their family whose addresses were also leaked.

Some also mentioned being anxious about not being able to control where their information goes.

Call for "extraordinary protections" for PLHIV

After laying out how PLHIV are made even more vulnerable by this incident, Tan called for the government to put in place more "extraordinary protections" for them:

"One consideration would be the enactment of anti-discrimination laws based on HIV status. Anti-discrimination laws for people living with HIV exist in many countries like Australia, Canada, United States, Nigeria, Hong Kong, just to name a few - plans are even underway to enact such protections in Malaysia as well. What do we, as Singapore, stand to lose by offering such anti-discriminatory protections to those living with HIV?"

Action for Aids (AfA) condemned in the leak, and expressed solidarity with those affected:

"We understand that this is a trying time for the many who are affected by this breach, and we would like to express our solidarity as a community that have been affected by HIV. Rest assured that support is available. Please reach out to your respective hospital’s care unit or your medical social workers and counsellors."

HIV no longer a death sentence

HIV is no longer the death sentence it used to be. It is now treated as a chronic disease like diabetes or high blood pressure.

According to Tan, most HIV sufferers today can expect to have a life expectancy comparable to person without HIV. This is only if they go through effective treatment.

If you come across the information online please do not share it. Instead, please can contact MOH at 6325 9220.

You can read Tan's full post (which contains more information about HIV) below:

Top photo by Hush Naidoo on Unsplash