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SINGAPORE: Under the amendments to the Infectious Diseases Act that were passed on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is given wider powers to act quickly to curb the spread of infectious diseases in Singapore.


When SARS broke out in 2003, revisions made to the Act allowed the ministry to order those suspected of being infected to be quarantined.

But Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said a virus that is a lot more contagious than SARS would require swifter action.

"In such a scenario, what we can do is (to) restrict and reduce social interactions through social distancing measures, in order to slow the spread of the disease in the community," he said.

"To be effective, social distancing measures have to be implemented soon after the first local cases appear... We would need to have the powers to effect social distancing measures swiftly," he added.

With wider powers, the health minister can declare a public health emergency if there is a significant risk of deaths or disabilities following a disease outbreak. The health minister can also seal off any part of Singapore by restricting movement between zones.

However, Mr Khaw said such a decision has serious implications, so there will be safeguards. For example, every declaration of a public health emergency will expire after 14 days unless renewed. It must also be justified in Parliament, which has the authority to annul the order.

Other amendments to the Act are aimed at curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Under the amendments, not only HIV—positive persons, but those whose lifestyles put them at high risk of contracting AIDS will also have to practise safe sex, and inform their sexual partners of the risk of infection.

While most MPs supported the changes, there were also concerns.

MP for Jurong GRC, Halimah Yacob, said: "With such extensive powers accorded to government agencies, can Singaporeans be given a clear assurance that these powers will be invoked only in very grave situations where alternative arrangements are not workable?"

On the measures to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, Dr Lam Pin Min, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, asked: "If a promiscuous person practises safe sex by using condom every time he engages in sexual activities, is he considered at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS? Will he be considered safe and therefore be absolved of contravening Section 23 of the Act?"

In response, Mr Khaw said the idea is not to criminalise those who are HIV—positive, but to ensure that they act responsibly.

Acknowledging concerns over the wider powers of the ministry, Mr Khaw said a public health emergency will only be declared as a last resort.


Source: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/2008042...7-231650b.html