During the first four months of 2009, eight blood samples were identified by the Mater Dei laboratory as sero-positive. Five of them were HIV 1 and three were HIV 2.

Answering a parliamentary question by Labour MP Anthony Agius Decelis, Social Policy Minister John Dalli pointed out that because such tests were requested and carried out anonymously, more than one of them could be from the same person.

Minister Dalli also said that not every HIV-positive person necessarily needed treatment. The treatment, which cost €910.20 a month for every patient, was given by the Health Department under the Schedule V scheme and according to protocols approved by the Pharmaceutical Policy and Monitoring Department.