Following a document titled “list-of-girls-with-HIV-1” being circulated on Social Media recently, which is purported to be from Marie Stopes Sierra Leone (MSSL), Dr. Ufuoma Festus Omo-Obi, Country Director for MSSL on Thursday dissociated his organisation from the publication.
“This list is a forgery and we condemn its creation and circulation in the strongest possible terms. We view this as a ploy to cause emotional distress to the people named on the list and to damage the reputation of MSSL. We would never circulate, publish, share or disclose the data of our clients in any forum. For the last 30 years’ our service delivery has been marked by the highest clinical and ethical standards, including client safety and confidentiality.” Dr.Omo-Obi says. Alhaji Dr. Momodu Sesay, Director-General, National Aids Secretariat (NAS) expressed the secretariat’s disappointment over the act by the person or group of persons to publish such records relating to the HIV status of people.
”The position of NAS on the Confidentiality and Disclosure of health records of People Living with HIV is guided by the National AIDS Commission Act of 2011. NAS would like to remind all those who are involved in circulating such false information that it is a prohibition under the National AIDS Commission Act No 11 of 2011. ”Dr. Sesay stated.
Section 35 of the Act states that “No person shall disclose any information relating to the result of an HIV Test or any related assessment to any other person except (inter alia) with the consent of the person.” ”As a Secretariat, we wish to assure the general public and especially anybody who might have seen a name similar to theirs in that list that the so called list is a fictitious document that bears no authenticity in its source or credential. There is no truth in that list whatsoever.” Dr. Sesay stated. Dr. Sesay further noted MSSL is a partner that NAS has being working with for over 10 years. He pointed out MSSL’s ability in providing quality and confidential health services to clients across the country. The MSSL management registered their commitment in offering professional services to all Sierra Leoneans and assured clients of full confidentiality in the testing services rendered in their health facilities.
By Sylvia Villa
Friday April 21, 2017.
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