SUMMARY
Up until 2015, Singapore did not allow HIV-infected people into their country
The leaked information caused anxiety and distress among residents of the island and the Ministry of Health issued an apology to those affected
The HIV-positive status of around 14,200 people has been leaked online according to authorities in Singapore.
It was reported that the records included 5,400 Singaporeans who tested positive before January 2013 and 8,800 diagnosed before December 2011.
It is believed that the data, which includes names, identification numbers, addresses and other medical information was leaked by a HIV-positive American whose partner was a Singaporean doctor.
Up until 2015, Singapore did not allow HIV-infected people into their country but lifted the ban due to the “availability of effective treatment for the disease.”
However, the island city-state still limits their stay to a maximum of three months while short-term visitors to have to obtain a Social Visit Pass that is valid for two to four week and may subsequently be renewed for up to three months.
Pass holders are not allowed to work in the city-state.
The leaked information caused anxiety and distress among residents of the island and the Ministry of Health issued an apology to those affected.
“I am sorry that one of our former staff who was authorised to have access to confidential information in our HIV registry appears to not have complied with our security guidelines,” said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong on Monday.
Health officials have since tried to reach out to people whose names were on the list but the process has not achieved a hundred percent success.
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Source: standardmedia.co.ke
