A.I.D.S. Expert Sees Problems (Press, 6 December 1984)

Dr Pearl Ma, a prominent expert on acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), highlighted significant challenges facing New Zealand in addressing the disease, particularly concerning conservative attitudes towards male homosexuality and the associated laws. Speaking in Christchurch on 5 December 1984, she noted that many male homosexuals in New Zealand are hesitant to disclose their sexual orientation due to fear of societal repercussions, contrasting this with the more open environment for homosexuals in the United States. Dr Ma, who serves as the chief of clinical microbiology at St Vincent’s Hospital in New York, emphasised the necessity for surveillance programmes in every country, regardless of the current presence of AIDS. She warned that the disease would eventually reach all nations due to the global movement of populations. An essential component of these surveillance initiatives would be the establishment of safe centres for male homosexuals to seek help and information about AIDS. However, the existing legal barriers posed a significant obstacle to such efforts. She advocated for improved training for medical professionals to identify AIDS-related infections and stressed that education should extend to other high-risk groups, including drug addicts and haemophiliacs, as they also face significant risks related to AIDS. Dr Ma elaborated on the advancements in the United States, where individuals donating blood must complete a confidential questionnaire regarding their sexual orientation and drug use. This transparency allows for research opportunities using their blood, thereby ensuring their donations are not wasted. She pointed out that there is a strong lobby for homosexual rights in the United States, which has successfully compelled the government to allocate funds towards AIDS research, specifically citing the increasing spread of the disease among heterosexual populations. Since the first recorded case of AIDS, there has been a substantial rise in laboratory workloads, with a reported increase of up to 300 percent due to necessary testing procedures. Dr Ma noted that diagnostic capabilities in America had improved significantly, enabling AIDS to be diagnosed in just one minute. In her assessment, New Zealand's predicament mirrored that of the United States three years prior, indicating an urgent need for the government to initiate similar educational and surveillance programmes with adequate funding. Dr Ma also noted the concerning transmission of AIDS to women and children connected to homosexual men, particularly highlighting the role of bisexual men in spreading the disease. Despite a trend towards reduced promiscuity among homosexuals due to fears of AIDS, instances of high-risk behaviours persisted, with reports of some men having multiple partners in a single night at homosexual venues. She suggested that imposing restrictions on male blood donors could be an effective strategy to mitigate the spread of AIDS in New Zealand, yet urged against increasing panic among the general population. To reinforce this point, she cited that, after extensive testing in the United States, no heterosexual laboratory personnel had contracted the syndrome. Dr Ma's insights were shared during a lecture aimed at hospital administrators, health officials, and medical staff, underscoring the importance of increasing awareness and preparedness to combat the growing threat of AIDS in New Zealand.

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