Tribunal gives direction on disclosing HIV status of patients

A couple at VCT in Kisumu County. (Photo: Collins Oduor/Standard)

Only when a patient's HIV status is the main cause of a medical condition is a hospital allowed to reveal the status to the insurance company.

A ruling by the HIV and Aids Tribunal (HAT) has directed that an insurer can be informed of an HIV patient's condition only when the viral load is so high that it hampers the quick recovery, therefore increasing the cost of treatment.