Is Uhuru’s HIV List For Schools A Bad Idea?

Two groups have made waves today by filing a petition in court against a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta to list all HIV positive school. So is such a list a positive step for the state of HIV/AIDS in Kenya?

What Is The HIV List?

The list was intended as an effort to better bring treatment and anti-retro viral drugs to school children who are HIV positive.  The aim was to gather the names of all school children affected, as well as their guardians. The stated goal was to offer support to those who were effected by the disease. Concerns were raised about why the list was being collected by the government and if those named would receive help from being put into a data base.
The move came only days after Jacob Zuma, the President of South Africa had attempted to push a strange initiative only days before by pushing for HIV positive people to have their genitals marked.
READ ALSO: Zuma Pushes For Genitals Of HIV Positive People To Be Marked

Who Does It Effect?

Mainly the children being collected onto the list. A chief area of public concern is what will come
of the HIV positive children that are put into the database.

Allan Maleche, the lawyer who filed the petition for the Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV and Aids (KELIN) and Children of God Relief Institute spoke with Tuko.co.ke about the list, “the primary risk is that names collected may be leaked. Once leaked out to the public, people who have their status revealed may be subjected to stigmas.”

Those living with HIV in Kenya are often subjected to being socially outcast or discriminated for their condition.

It isn’t just children who will be collected on the list Maleche explains, “the list would also seek to collect names of pregnant women who are HIV positive as well as those who are breast feeding.”

READ ALSO: Uhuru Orders List Of HIV Positive People

Why Is The Bill Being Challenged In Court?

President Kenyatta’s directive to compile the list was deemed against the HIV/Aids Prevention and Control Act which outlines keeping the identities of those who are HIV positive confidential.

“There are a lot of aspects to consider,” says Maleche, “there is privacy and confidentiality of those affected by the list that may result in discrimination against them.”

Some of the key points for the basis of the petition include the rights of the Child as under Article 53(2), the  right to privacy as under Article 31 (a) and equality and freedom from discrimination as under Article 27 (1-8).

source: Tuko kenya