Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association - May 24, 2005
Chairperson Dr Kgosi Letlape said that self-testing without counselling could be disastrous for those concerned.
Selling the kits in supermarkets could also lead to their abuse by employers or insurers.
Letlape was commenting on media reports this week that a supermarket franchise recently sold HIV/Aids testing kits for about three weeks before deciding to remove them from their shelves.
The Star newspaper quoted Andrew Nathaniel, a director of Homelab -- the company that markets the United States-developed product in South Africa -- as saying the test has an accuracy rate of 99,5%.
He added that 'people using the product still need to go to a doctor or a laboratory to have a diagnostic test'.
Said Letlape: 'We have a history of employers trying to exploit domestic workers and testing them against their will. Women here are disempowered and could be forcibly tested by their male partners,' he said.
'We are concerned because of the potential harm, namely the absence of counselling and support.'
He said self-testing had the potential to ruin lives and drive people to suicide or murder.
Letlape the health department was apparently working on guidelines regarding the issue.
'There must be proper guidance. These kits should only be used in a professional setting where ethical guidelines are in place. There is nothing wrong with using the kits concerned, but it must be in a proper setting.'
He said that counselling is vital because of the confusion and many misconceptions about HIV/Aids in South Africa.
'There is the issue of stigmatisation, but also misrepresentation about facts including the idea that proper nutrition is curative and a substitute for therapeutic medication.' The 16 000-strong Sama is affiliated with the Congress of SA Trade Unions.
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