Time runs out for foreign HIV wives   

South China Morning Post. May 15, 2000

BY BARRY PORTER in Singapore

NINE foreign women married to Singaporeans have been ejected from the country and time is running out for 10 others as the Government clamps down on carriers of the Aids virus.

On March 1, the government introduced compulsory testing of all expatriates for HIV/Aids in a bid to curb its spread. Previously, regular testing was only necessary for foreigners on low incomes, such as labourers and maids.

"I don't want to go back and make my mother sad," said one tearful Thai wife, who asked to be known as Nan. I don't think she can take this," she told the Straits Times.

The 10 infected women, all of whom are in Singapore on social-visit passes, expect to be turned back if they try to re-enter the republic after their present visas expire. Daniel Wee, a 28-year-old Singaporean whose Thai wife is expecting their first child in September, said: "I'm afraid they will be separated; she won't be able to take care of the baby, and my child will not have the opportunity to know its mother."

In each of the past five years in Singapore, between 300 and 500 low-earning foreigners have been found to have HIV, according to Health Department figures. As of December, there were 1,080 registered Aids patients living in the island state. The number of HIV carriers was believed to be between 3,000 and 4,000.

The United Nations has warned that by 2005, Asia could topple Africa as the world's HIV/Aids black spot unless concerted action is taken to limit its spread. There are believed to be 6.5 million cases in Asia, with India, Thailand and Cambodia the hardest hit. Brunei is the only other country in the region to have instigated compulsory testing of expatriates. New Zealand will begin on July 1.

·         Published in the South China Morning Post  May 15, 2000.
 
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