Wednesday 9 March 2005

of is AIDS problem, a gay problem?

Senior Minister of State for Health, Dr Balaji Sadasivan, is at it again.

In today's Straits Times article "Gay parties may have led to sharp rise in new Aids cases", it says that

"THERE was a sharp rise in new Aids cases last year and it could be linked to a popular annual 'gay party' on Sentosa, Dr Balaji Sadasivan said yesterday, quoting an unnamed expert...

Dr Balaji said an epidemiologist - an expert in the spread and control of diseases - had suggested to him that the spike might be linked to the Nation parties held every August on Sentosa...

He added: 'However, this is a hypothesis and more research needs to be done."

So is AIDS a gay problem? It is definitely not entirely a gay problem. There are many other causes and I think the gahment should tackle them in all aspects.
And since the Dr says that the gahment should not be making "sweeping statements that misinform the public" and they have "never targeted any of its Aids campaigns at gay men" and they "should focus on education", I believe the gahment is doing their best to tackle the AIDS problem and not just link the sharp rise in new Aids cases last year to a "popular annual gay party on Sentosa".

Oh BTW should it be AIDS or Aids? I thought it is an acronym. I dunno, I need to be educated.

What others are blogging:
IZ: Gay Party = HIV Increase?
Mr Brown: Singapore National Education Part 106 (Point 28)

Update: New links
AIDS is a Gay Problem, hip-hop hooray! by Cowboy Caleb
Hypothesis: Aids MAY be spread by gays breathing on you!!! by Mr Brown
Two-thirds of AIDS sufferers may say Straits Times is spot-on by Mr Miyagi
Gay party blamed for HIV surge by Singabloodypore
Things you all should really read by The Wah
S'pore Health Minister's Comments on HIV Surge and Gay Parties Draw Criticism by Silvia Chan posted at fridae.com.
Press Statement On S'pore Minister's Remarks Linking HIV Surge To Nation Parties by fridae.
S'pore Gay Group Offers Other Possible Reasons For HIV Surge Among MSM by People Like Us posted at fridae.com
The Dr's Speech in Parliament posted at MOH website.

dr balaji does a backpedal by AcidFlask
Synonym - GAY:HIV by Popagandhi
orgy of sensationalist dumbfuckery by buttermilk (Ha! What a tagline)
The logic of “Family Values” and “Nature” by Wannabe Lawyer
Asia By Blog compilation of news in the region by Simon World

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