9Disclosure of HIV-positive status to partner of HIV-positive person

(1) No healthcare provider, except a physician or a counsellor, shall disclose the HIV-positive status of a person to his or her partner.

(2) A healthcare provider, who is a physician or counsellor, may disclose the HIV-positive status of a person under his direct care to his or her partner, if such healthcare provider—

(a) reasonably believes that the partner is at the significant risk of transmission of HIV from such person; and

(b) such HIV-positive person has been counselled to inform such partner; and

(c) is satisfied that the HIV-positive person will not inform such partner; and

(d) has informed the HIV-positive person of the intention to disclose the HIV positive status to such partner:

Provided that disclosure under this sub-section to the partner shall be made in person after counselling:

Provided further that such healthcare provider shall have no obligation to identify or locate the partner of an HIV-positive person:

Provided also that such healthcare provider shall not inform the partner of a woman where there is a reasonable apprehension that such information may result in violence, abandonment or actions which may have a severe negative effect on the physical or mental health or safety of such woman, her children, her relatives or someone who is close to her.

(3) The healthcare provider under sub-section (1) shall not be liable for any criminal or civil action for any disclosure or non-disclosure of confidential HIV-related information made to a partner under this section.