This file photo taken Nov. 19, 2019, shows South Korean activists holding a ceremony to mark World AIDS Day in central Seoul on Nov. 29, 2019, two days ahead of the annual international day. (image: Civic Group)
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced Thursday that new guidelines on treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients have been published.
The guide includes eight recommendations for the healthcare workers, caretakers, and other related personnel.
On the patient’s right to health, the guide proclaims that all patients have the right to receive treatment of best effort both fairly and equally at any medical institution.
Medical service providers must not refuse hospitalization or surgery for HIV patients without proper justification.
All facts about the patient’s HIV infection should be kept confidential, and doctors should respect the patient’s right to self-determination.
All medical staff should follow standard precautions at all times during the course of treating a patient, which calls upon the staff to wear safety equipment during treatment, prevent laceration wounds by a syringe or others, and properly manage medical waste.
Medical authorities must also protect the rights of HIV patients and provide safety education to both patients and the medical staff.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
