IPOH - PERAK Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin has clarified his earlier stand for HIV carriers to be quarantined by saying that special wards should be set up to treat them.
He also said that the Perak state government is not against couples marrying if any of them were HIV-positive.
Mr Nizar came under fire last week from various quarters over his suggestion that those infected with HIV should not marry as it would be unfair to the spouse or their children. The groups also took issue with his suggestion that there should be a 'quarantine' of the patient.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Mr Nizar said his definition of quarantine was patients with HIV undergoing treatment at special wards with specialised care and diet. 'It's not that we want to isolate them from society.'
On marriage, he saidthose intending to marry should be required to prove to their partners that they were seeking treatment for HIV, the New Straits Times said. This includes getting a letter from their doctors as 'no one wants their daughters or sons to be married to a HIV-positive partner who is reluctant to seek treatment.'
He said the government should review the matter before allowing couples with HIV to get married.
