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FACTS ABOUT AIDS/HIV IN CHINA

2010-11-30 14:00
 1.     In China, there is a relatively low overall incidence of HIV and AIDS, although pockets of high prevalence do exist within specific geographies and social groups. Infection rates are high in areas affected by unsanitary blood and blood plasma collection activities in the mid-90s and within vulnerable groups such as intravenous drug users, sex workers, and mostly recently with men who have sex with men.
 
According to the 2009 HIV estimation conducted by the Chinese Health Ministry, UNAIDS and the World Health Organization, there are approximately 740,000 people living with HIV and AIDS in China, 0.057% among the Chinese population, of whom 44.3% were infected by heterosexual transmission; 14.7% by homosexual transmission; 32.2% from intravenous drug use; 7.8% by former plasma/blood donation or blood transfusion/use of blood products; and 1% mother-to-child transmission.
 
By the end of 2009, HIV/AIDS treatment has been made available in 31 of China's 34 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government, and 79,946 AIDS patients and 1,793 children with AIDS had received treatment. There are currently 65,481 people receiving treatment.
 
The Chinese government has mounted a campaign against HIV/AIDS since the first HIV infection in China was found in 1985. Over the past several years, the Chinese government at the highest levels has reiterated its strong commitment to effectively respond to AIDS, identifying prevention and control as a priority in its 11th National Five-Year Development Plan (2006-2010) and reinforcing the importance of having an HIV and AIDS strategy to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). An HIV/AIDS prevention and control committee was set up in 2004. Over the years, the mid- and long-term program on HIV/AIDS prevention and control and two five-year action plans have been formulated. Regulations on HIV/AIDS prevention and control were promulgated in 2006. Funds allocated by the central government to HIV/AIDS prevention and control have jumped to 1.6 billion yuan ($239 million) this year from some 100 million yuan in 2001, and matching funds from local governments have also been increasing year by year. We have introduced the "Four Free and One Care policy" nationwide, which includes free antiretroviral drugs to all rural patients and patients from urban low-income families, free voluntary testing and consulting, free prevention services on mother-to-child transmission, free schooling for children orphaned by AIDS as well as care for AIDS patients and their families through medical treatment and financial support.
 
During the recent years, China has strengthened public education programs to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and encourage the general public to adopt a humane attitude on HIV/AIDS and AIDS patients, reduce discrimination, and lead a healthy way of life. Many Chinese have joined anti-AIDS volunteer groups to care for and help AIDS patients.
 
China has taken measures to fight against illegal blood collection and supply, strengthen disease surveillance and testing, and raised the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS screening tests. China has also introduced behavioral intervention measures to block the main channel for HIV/AIDS transmission such as drug use to prevent and control its transmission and spread. China has followed a two-pronged approach that uses both medical services and community services, and both social assistance and family care to help AIDS patients in receiving antiretroviral treatment, create conditions for them to lead a normal life, take care of those who have lost families to AIDS and protect their rights and interests.
 
Thanks to these efforts, the fast spread of HIV/AIDS in China has been brought under control. The mortality rate has been significantly lowered and the livelihood of infected persons and patients has markedly improved.
 
The Chinese government realizes that it will be a long campaign to fight against HIV/AIDS. The government plans to provide more support for the research and development of AIDS vaccines and medicine and we are confident that China will meet the MDG on HIV/AIDS by 2015.
 
2.      To fight against HIV/AIDS is the common responsibility of mankind. China has been actively involved in the international cooperation on HIV/AIDS prevention and control. We have made donations to the Global Fund for many years in a row, trained HIV/AIDS medical staff for African countries, and carried out joint HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment projects with Greater Mekong Sub-region countries and ASEAN members. China will donate US$14 million to the Global Fund in the next three years. We will remain deeply engaged in the international cooperation, and play our part for the attainment of the MDG on HIV/AIDS on schedule.
 
"We cannot turn a deaf ear to the call of life, and we must not be slow in reaching out. We should redouble our effort to advance the global campaign against HIV/AIDS and ensure that the related MDG be met on schedule," Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on 22nd September 2010 at a UN panel on anti-AIDS efforts when he co-hosted the panel with leaders from South Africa and Nigeria. Premier Wen also announced the establishment of China-Africa partnership to strengthen international AIDS prevention and treatment efforts. Michel Sidibe, UNAIDS Executive Director said during the panel discussion: "The China-Africa partnership can be the engine that accelerates progress towards the MDGs. We should not treat AIDS as an isolated phenomenon. It needs to be a bridge-builder between all these different issues. China is not just in the new debate as a developing country, but as a developing country that has know-how to connect other developing countries with technology and innovation to help democratize and problem solve."
 
 

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