Abstract:
Objective: The main objective of this paper is to discuss and bring out the consequences of
introducing the mandatory HIV testing strategy in some countries and also highlight the
advantages of undergoing HIV testing.
The paper elaborates on certain social & security issues like violation of basic human rights,
increased stigma & discrimination of people who are affected. Countries like Saudi Arabia,
Bahrain, UAE have enacted laws mandating premarital testing, provinces in China, Ethiopia,
India & DR Congo have introduced or passed similar laws or regulations. The paper also
elaborates on pros & cons of this testing strategy and the rationality in choosing this strategy
among pregnant women & premarital. A mandatory approach to testing and treatment has the
potential to significantly reduce perinatal transmission of HIV, it is definitely not the effective
and acceptable choice by everyone as the approach is opposing to the rights based approach.
Conclusions: There is an urgent need for effective global health governance
mechanisms/institutions that critically analyses the pros & cons of such controversial strategies
before they are enacted ignoring the threats & insecurity they bring to the people who are HIV
positive. Since the issues like Human Rights, Stigma & discrimination issues are not just bound
by geographical borders, these issues should be given a priority at global level thereby providing
security, stigma- free & non discriminative conducive environment for the HIV positives.