Letter: Voluntary HIV tests
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: We support the plan to offer HIV tests to pregnant women, but its success will depend on the test being offered, not imposed, with no discrimination against those who refuse (report, 13 August).
We have had a stream of complaints from women (including a health visitor and a midwife) who tried to refuse other antenatal tests and were bullied or treated like pariahs. This has had the effect of some opting out of care - for example, some Orthodox Jewish women choose not to have antenatal care until 24 weeks in order to avoid pressure.
Any attempts to force women to have caesarean sections or abstain from breastfeeding will be counter-productive.
A particular problem for HIV-positive mothers is confidentiality for them and their children. With team care and computerisation there is no possibility of the patient choosing who knows what.
Other antenatal screening tests have caused huge problems, with false positives and false negatives, and promised "counselling" being non-existent or of poor quality. Screening has often greatly added to anxiety in pregnancy and this stress can in itself damage foetal growth. We hope that the Department of Health has learnt from past mistakes.
BEVERLEY A LAWRENCE BEECH
Honorary Chair
JEAN ROBINSON
Honorary Research Officer
AIMS
Iver, Buckinghamshire
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments