/ 27 November 2001

CALL FOR MANDATORY AIDS TESTS

AFRICAN National Congress MP Ruth Bhengu has called on government to introduce mandatory Aids tests to determine the true extent of HIV/Aids in the country, according to the Sunday Independent. Bhengu said laws should be passed to make testing mandatory. Consitutional provisions for the right to privacy — used by some not to take Aids tests — should be suspended to determine the extent of the disease in South Africa, she said. Bhengu received praise for her public declarartion of support in Parliament earlier for her daughter, Nozipho, who is HIV-positive. -Sapa