The defense ministry says National Defense University expelled a student who tested positive for HIV because of “moral misconduct,” not because of his diagnosis. Ministry spokesperson Chen Chung-chi said Tuesday that the expulsion was not a case of discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS.
“[We] already made it clear that the student was expelled simply because of his moral misconduct," said Chen.
"The defense ministry’s stance is to respect the evaluations made by the National Defense University in 2012 and 2013. The steps taken by the [school] were in line with the law. Media reports linking the case with communicable diseases are totally inaccurate.”
A dean at National Defense University said the building of character is vital to the military academy. The student has been given two demerits and two warnings in 2012. He broke the school’s information security rules by bringing his own laptop on campus. He was also deemed to have shown a poor attitude after he was found using his roommate’s computer for safety checks.
The student’s expulsion had reached the attention of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, which had expressed its concern to Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control. The CDC decided to impose a hefty fine on the school for discrimination against the student.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Lin Tzou-yien said he hopes the public will change their perception of HIV-AIDS patients. Lin said the HIV virus is mostly transmitted through body fluids and sexual behavior. With medication, patients can enjoy a life span similar to most people.