20 Aug 2008

Cooks critical of Niue proposal to isolate HIV sufferers

3:47 pm on 20 August 2008

The Cook Islands health minister, Sir Terepai Maoate, has dismissed the concept of isolating people infected with HIV/AIDS.

The idea to set up colonies to segregate people living with HIV/AIDS is being promoted by Niue's health director, Dr Sitaleki Finau.

Sir Terepai says the proposal is insensitive and thoughtless.

He says it is bad enough that those infected have to suffer a dreadful illness without having to endure the attitudes of people like Dr Finau.

The Cook Islands Te Tiare Association, which groups so-called akavaine, says Dr Finau's approach is inhuman and outmoded.