Public health: prevention of AIDS and other communicable diseases, Community action programme 1996-2000

The rapporteur, Mr MAMERE(ARE, F), feared that there was a risk of overloading the 1995-1999 programme on the prevention of AIDS (with an allocation of ECU 50 million) by extending it to other communicable diseases. He opposed any form of discrimination against persons carrying the HIV virus or suffering from AIDS. He regretted that infection through blood transfusions was not included in the Commission proposal. It was vital to adopt strict rules on the selection of donors and on transfusions. He was in favour of allowing NGOs, and particularly patients’ associations, to participate in the programme. He also believed that it was essential to establish at Community level a warning and rapid information system for public authorities and medical and scientific bodies, based on a network of epidemiologists. Commissioner FLYNN stated: - that of the 66 amendments, he could take over 36 in full or in part; - that he could not take over: a) Amendments Nos 1, 17, 21, 22, 29, 30, 45, 49, 51, 52, 55 and 63, which included the amendments providing for maximum safety of blood products (Amendments Nos 45 and 63) as this should be covered by other Community programmes; b) Amendments Nos 34, 36, 44 (on voluntary screening), 62 and 66, the latter having been tabled by the Greens with a view to abolishing the Russian law on HIV testing for foreigners entering Russia for a stay longer than three months, as they were outside the scope of the programme; c) Amendments Nos 5, 12, 20, 26, 36, 46 to 48, 53, 57 and 59, notably concerning cooperation and coordination with the national authorities, as they would limit the scope of the initial proposal. In light of these statements made before the beginning of the debate, the rapporteur added that it was likely that conciliation would be required, particularly if the amendments on transparency, the utilisation of condoms and the fight against discrimination were not taken over by the Commission.