I refer to the article, "Singapore facing alarming Aids epidemic Dr Balaji" (Nov 11).

I am disappointed with Dr Balaji Sadasivan's statement in which he said that the "promiscuous and unsafe lifestyle" advocated and practised by some gays in Singapore accounted for the rise in HIV infections.

Though statistics show that the explosion in HIV infections can be narrowed down to two groups of men - gays and promiscuous heterosexuals - the root of the problem is promiscuity, irrespective of whether the men are heterosexual or otherwise.

When we want to solve a problem, we must identify and tackle the root of the problem.

Making sweeping generalisations do not solve anything, but only exacerbates misunderstanding of the problem and generates unnecessary discrimination.

Ho Keng Soon

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Straits Times Forum
13 Nov 2004

I REFER to the comments made by Senior Minister of State for Health Balaji Sadasivan on the 'alarming Aids epidemic' facing Singapore (ST, Nov 11).

Dr Balaji rightly points out that the problem of Aids in Singapore grows ever graver, and more measures need to be taken to tackle it. While his calls for increased public awareness are timely, the merit of radical measures such as border screening and playing the blame game is suspect. It seems highly unlikely that border screening of 'high-risk groups' - namely 'homosexuals and heterosexual men who have casual sex in other countries' - is going to be effective. Screening is dependent on having information so that screening bodies can identify and then screen these high-risk groups.

In this case, it is difficult to imagine either of these groups offering such information at Customs - gay men because of the environment of silence they are accustomed to; straight men on sex holidays because of the stigma associated with such excursions.

The worst-case scenario in this case would be scaring away those who might otherwise seek screening and hence treatment from doing so due to these unnecessarily strict measures. What's more, it seems strange to me that the authorities would single out Action For Aids (AFA) for not being incisive enough in its anti-Aids campaign.

Notwithstanding its status as a non-government organisation, and being driven almost entirely by the efforts of volunteers, it has done as much good as it could, given that most Singaporeans are not accustomed to seeing safe sex being promoted in the mass media.

Also, because AFA values confidentiality in its operations, it also has to deal with a very large number of gay clients - because they have nowhere else to turn to. As Singapore is still not a society where homosexuality is discussed openly, AFA remains with its hands tied.

To reach a wider audience and be more effective, it needs to be able to engage in open and inclusive debate on both Aids and the social phenomena that accompany it - be they homosexuality, commercial sex activity or even intravenous drug abuse - which is something that is not yet happening.

The Aids epidemic is fundamentally different from other diseases, such as cancer or even Sars, precisely because it has such a significant social aspect to it.

Already, patients with Aids and HIV face stigmatisation - and generalising subsections of society, be they gay men or straight, as high-risk, promiscuous and irresponsible is going to make fighting this epidemic even more difficult in the future.

Wong Chen Seong

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Straits Times Forum
13 Nov 2004

I READ with great concern the report that Aids and HIV problems are becoming very serious and, if not addressed, could lead to an 'explosive' situation in a few years.

I am glad that Senior Minister of State for Health Balaji Sadasivan has chosen to highlight the problem.

The minister cited education as the way to effectively correct the trend. I wish to propose that we educate not just the gay community and those men who return to Singapore from 'high-risk destinations overseas', but also all Singaporeans, especially the young.

It is time that we go back to basics - human beings must not be promiscuous. We must stop believing that it is normal to succumb to our 'sexual instincts' and that we have the absolute right to choose any lifestyle.

Singaporeans, irrespective of race, creed or religion, can take a common position - say no to promiscuity.

Human lives are simply too precious to indulge in lifestyles that demean the very dignity of being human. Our basic messages must be unambiguous

• The dignity and uniqueness of being male and female.
• Casual sex is not normal.

But while taking an uncompromising stand, we must not be seen to be wagging our finger at those who are classified as being in the high-risk groups.

The community must continue to be welcoming to those who seek help and to patiently persuade those who are still not persuaded that their lifestyles are not normal and, in fact, dangerous. It is understandable for some of us to feel uncomfortable about taking a clear stand on this issue as that might make us appear self-righteous. But if we believe that an Aids epidemic in Singapore is imminent, then it is a matter of our survival that we truthfully and courageously find an answer to the problem.

The answer is to go back to basics - uphold the dignity of being human. 

Ignatius Kang Chuan Hock

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Straits Times Forum
13 Nov 2004

WHILE Senior Minister of State for Health Balaji Sadasivan was right to draw attention to the alarming increase in HIV cases, the rest of his comments regarding gays ('S'pore facing 'Aids epidemic'; ST, Nov 11) are probably unjustified.

It seems unfair to single out gay males as the main contributors to the climbing rate of HIV infections when 80 per cent of patients are heterosexual.

Moreover, much of our mass media - pop songs, movies, TV shows and lifestyle magazines - promotes promiscuity and condones casual sex, especially heterosexual sex.

Homosexuality still carries a major stigma in our society. It was only recently that Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong declared that being gay is no obstacle to working in the civil service. Even now People Like Us - a non-government organisation that wants to raise awareness of the homosexual condition here - is refused registration as a society.

Aids carries its own history of ostracism, discrimination and emotional pain. Confusing Aids and homosexual behaviour will do no one any good.

Leon Lim Wen Hui

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Straits Times Forum
13 Nov 2004

RECENTLY I was at my neighbourhood barber shop getting my hair cut. I noticed the barber using the same razor on every customer, without changing the blade.

I imagine this practice is repeated every day in barber shops all over the island.

When I got back home, I ran a search on the Web and found that in September last year there was a report that HIV may have been passed between two Australian sisters who shared a razor to shave their legs.

Any procedure in which a needle or razor is used on more than one person carries a theoretical risk of HIV transmission because of the possible presence of infected blood on the instrument.

Personal-service workers like tattoo artists, hairdressers and barbers, massage therapists, manicurists and acupuncturists should all be educated on the risks and how to take the necessary precautions.

I would like to know if there are any guidelines designed to protect both the workers and their customers from HIV and other blood-borne illnesses such as hepatitis.

Yuen Ming De

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Straits Times Forum
13 Nov 2004

I REFER to the article, 'S'pore facing 'Aids epidemic' (ST, Nov 11).

Senior Minister of State for Health Balaji Sadasivan suggested that if the Communicable Disease Centre could screen high-risk Singaporeans at our borders when they return, we might be able to protect Singapore women from catching Aids from these men.

The tests commonly used to detect infection look for antibodies produced by the body to fight the human immuno-deficiency virus that causes Aids. Most people will develop detectable antibodies within three months of infection but, in rare cases, this may take six to 12 months.

This is known as the incubation period when even an infected individual would produce a negative test result.

Would testing all male Singaporeans at the borders be any good? No, because even if they have been infected, the infection would not show up on a HIV test unless they have been away for at least three months.

Singaporean men visiting prostitutes in Batam, Johor or Thailand would certainly not have spent three months there before returning to Singapore.