I REFER to the article which appeared in the South China Morning Post, on August 11, headlined, ''Criticism as officers wear gloves to escort HIV patient''.
Next to the report was a picture showing Correctional Services Department (CSD) staff wearing plastic gloves while taking the patient to court.
A CSD spokesman said the department did not discriminate against HIV prisoners. Every person has the right to refuse to carry out a job which he or she feels could cause direct or indirect danger to their well-being.
I do not think that escorting an HIV patient to and from a hospital or a cell is the normal job of a CSD officer or a police officer.
Where the circumstances arose necessitating an officer to escort such a patient, that officer would be entitled to take all precautionary methods to ensure that he did not get infected. Taking precautions would give him peace of mind.
Those who criticised the officers for wearing plastic gloves have taken an irresponsible attitude.
