When South Africa kicks off its new anti-AIDS campaign on April 15, cabinet ministers and premiers are expected to take the lead by undergoing public HIV testing. The outreach aims to test 15 million people by June 2011.

Mary Crewe, director of the Center for the Study of AIDS at the University of Pretoria, lauded the government's plan and said it would be good to see high-ranking public figures not only get tested but also make their results public.

"If they are prepared to release their results it would not be [seen as] forcing others to disclose but may show that disclosure is possible and socially acceptable and that people who test positive should get support and respect - whatever position they hold," said Crewe.

However, the testing drive must include protections for a person's right of refusal, Crewe noted. "I think it is a concern that the notion of 'voluntary' is being eroded away - the 'routine offer' of a test to all people can all too easily slide into 'coercive or mandatory' testing and that has been shown to have serious consequences," she said.

In addition, "Often people need the counseling and support a time after being tested, and there should be a companion plan to make sure that there are sufficient support structures in place months from now," Crewe said.

President Jacob Zuma is expected to launch the campaign at Natalspruit Hospital in Ekurhuleni.