The CMA is going to urge governments, health authorities and physicians to offer women routine prenatal HIV screening, General Council has decided.
The motion, proposed by BC internist Victor Dirnfeld, follows publication of a recent CMAJ article (2002;166[7]:904-5) that concluded “the continued occurrence of perinatally transmitted HIV infections is unacceptable in view of the very high efficacy of preventive measures that are currently available for HIV-infected pregnant women.” Women would be allowed to opt out of testing, since several provinces have legislation that prohibits compulsory screening. “This will give patients the option of being informed,” said Dirnfeld, a CMA past president.
In supporting the motion, Toronto family physician Stan Lofsky said about 20 HIV-positive babies are still being born in Ontario each year. — CMAJ