Self-diagnosis for HIV not recommended, says Chua

NST: Self-diagnosis for HIV is not recommended since the accuracy of the test kits cannot be verified.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said today while self-test kits for minor ailments and pregnancy are common, tests for life threatening diseases such as AIDS and HIV are much more complicated.
Commenting on the move by an American company, Orasure Technology Inc, to seek the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval for a home version of its OraQuick test which is already marketed to doctors and healthcare providers, Dr Chua said: "My advice to Malaysians is — do a proper and accurate HIV test in hospitals and clinics which have the facilities."
He said the results obtained would be accurate and those found to be HIV-positive could immediately receive treatment and counselling.
Dr Chua added he was aware of HIV test kits sold in the market which promised results within minutes but said he was unsure of its accuracy.
He said those in high risk groups should go for regular blood screening to ascertain whether they were HIV positive.
"We must stop the spread of the disease," said Dr Chua, adding that the government was concerned with the HIV/AIDS situation in the country which according to a UN study had reached generalised epidemic proportions with 81,000 Malaysians becoming infected.
The Health Ministry had reported that about 65,000 Malaysians had been diagnosed with HIV since 1996. Of them, 9,444 developed full-blown AIDS and 7,195 died but NGOs say the figures are much higher.
The Government will implement the needle exchange and condom handout programme for drug addicts in January in its latest attempt to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS.
The syringe exchange and condom handout to drug users fall under the Harm Reduction Programme under which the ministry has also embarked on supplying methadone, a synthetic drug, to treat hardcore drug addicts.
Some 1,200 intravenous drug users have started on methadone last month.