Manitoba introduces forced HIV testing bill

Manitoba's forced HIV testing legislation is "flawed" and "ill-conceived" charges the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network.

The bill would allow paramedics and firefighters to apply for a testing order if they have come into contact with bodily fluid of another person while on the job. Health Minister Theresa Oswald, introduced the bill in the Manitoban legislature Apr 16.

Oswald touted the bill as providing emergency workers with "peace of mind" when responding to an incident. Yet, the risk of contracting an infection such as HIV from an occupational exposure is extremely low, says the Legal Network.

In fact, the group says that there has been only one confirmed case of occupational HIV infection in Canada since the early 1980s.  See Manitoba introduces forced HIV testing bill