Person will be placed in the hands of the policeFollowing the report that an individual attached to a voluntary counselling and testing site (VCT) is accepting a $10,000 bribe in order to issue an HIV negative certificate to persons who tested positive for the virus, Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has revealed that an investigation into the allegation is ongoing, and if it is found to be true, then that individual, who is said to be a woman,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys, will be handed over to the police.The first reports had stated that the situation was found to be taking place at the clinic at the West Demerara Regional Hospital,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, but this newspaper has since been corrected by Minister Ramsammy,Cheap Jerseys From China, who informed that the incident has been ongoing at a VCT site that is located in Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.At a press conference held at the Ministry of Health yesterday, Minister Ramsammy noted that the ministry has reason to believe that the allegation made against the individual in the Kaieteur News article has some truth to it.“This is a criminal act, and if it is proven to be so, then that person will be handed over to the police. I want people to know that,” Dr. Ramsammy told reporters.He also revealed that, when the allegation is verified, the ministry would not only fire the individual, but that individual will not be employed at any other health facility in Guyana.The Health Minister again questioned why an HIV positive individual would want to have an HIV negative certificate.He pointed out that such certification cannot be used to obtain a United States or a Canadian Visa, since tests like these have to be conducted by a certified laboratory associated with the embassies.Dr Ramsammy said that the only conclusion he can arrive at is that these persons would want the certificate for personal reasons, so as to show their wives, husbands, girlfriends or boyfriends that they are HIV negative.“Isn’t it idiotic that you are going to pay $10,000? You can simply go do the test and then walk away… You don’t even have to pick up the results. The only reason you would need the results is so that you can go and get treatment,” Dr. Ramsammy said.He also made it clear that employers are not required to request a potential employee to do an HIV test, as he cited that this is not in keeping with Guyana’s policy.“I hope no employer is asking anybody for an HIV test, because that is illegal. It’s discrimination, it’s stigmatizing.”Dr Ramsammy is urging persons who know of any illegal act occurring within the health sector to bring it to the attention of the ministry, so that action can be taken.“For the health workers or the volunteers in the VCT sites, who conspire with anyone, it is a criminal activity; it is an immoral activity and we have zero tolerance for it,” the minister said.He explained that there are some VCT sites that are being operated by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and in this regard,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys, he stressed that these sites must be subjected to the same regulation and control as a public health sector.According to Dr Ramsammy, this is a clear example of why he is always advocating for the need to regulate each and every heath facility.“It doesn’t matter whether the service is being provided by Government,NFL Jerseys Cheap, private sector or by NGOs. Everyone must be accountable, and everyone must be equally punished when they do wrong things.”While lauding the health professionals for doing an excellent job in HIV testing and for monitoring the quality of testing being done,Cheap Jerseys, he noted that they need to look at the quality of reporting. The recent incident at the VCT site, Dr Ramsammy said, is an indication of poor reporting.Kaieteur News was told that one of the supervisors at the clinic is trying to keep the incident on the down low, despite receiving advice as it relates to the danger the action of this act poses to the rest of the society.This newspaper was further informed that the clinic received reports of this act from as early as April of this year. (Fareeza Haniff)