PARLIAMENT OF ARMENIA AMENDS LAW ‘ON AIDS PREVENTION’ IN FIRST READING

ArmInfo
2009-02-03 12:47:00

ArmInfo. Parliament of Armenia made alterations and amendments to
the Law ‘On AIDS Prevention’ in the first reading Tuesday.

One of the authors of the Bill, parliamentarian Ara Babloyan said the
Law was adopted 11 years ago. Many decisions have been made in the
country and by international organizations since then, which requires
amendments to the Law. Since 1988 when the first case of AIDS infection
was registered in Armenia, the number of AIDS-infected has reached 674
people, including 136 were registered in 2008. Statistics shows that
159 died from AIDS in Armenia including 3 children and 25 women. Under
the bill, educational and public-awareness raising programs should
be promoted in the country and citizens must be provided with an
opportunity of anonymous AIDS-examination.

The bill highlights the importance of accessible and full
consultations. In addition, the provision of the effective Law
stipulating that people arriving in Armenia for over 3 months are to
undergo HIV-test will be removed.