The State Council, China's cabinet, published a circular on
Sunday in which it admitted that the AIDS epidemic is still quickly
spreading in the country and said that urgent measures must be
implemented to change the situation.
Almost simultaneously, the full text was published of Vice
Premier Wu Yi's speech on AIDS prevention a month ago. Wu
emphasized that China's AIDS prevention and control work is at a
crucial stage because the epidemic may spread outside high-risk
groups.
China's first HIV case was identified in 1985. The most recent
assessment report on AIDS prevention and control released by
Ministry of Health indicates that HIV is an epidemic affecting all
the mainland's 31 provinces, autonomous regions and
municipalities.
There are 840,000 HIV carriers, of whom 80,000 suffer full-blown
AIDS, according to official figures. Some experts warn that over 10
million Chinese will be HIV-positive by 2010 unless effective
measures are implemented.
Stressing the extreme importance of curbing the spread of the
deadly disease, Wu said that if these measures are not taken, "the
consequences will be very grievous."
"We should enhance management of blood banks, strictly crack
down on illegal blood collection and eliminate in-hospital
infection to curb virus spread through blood transfusions," Wu
said.
Firm measures should be taken to cut down on prostitution as
well as the use and sale of banned drugs, while the use of condoms
and exchange of clean syringe needles should be encouraged.
The State Council's 12-page circular requires local governments
at all levels and related organizations to pay close attention to
combating AIDS. Government leaders in all areas will take
responsibility.
"Those officials breaching duty or hiding epidemic reports will
be severely punished," the circular says.
It also calls for the establishment of local AIDS prevention and
treatment working committees in regions seriously affected by
AIDS.
The State Council set up a national working committee early this
year to coordinate the country's efforts to curb the spread of
AIDS.
The circular calls for nationwide education, especially in rural
areas, to increase awareness of AIDS, the harm it can do and
methods of prevention. AIDS education will be added to the
curricula in middle schools, vocational schools and colleges.
Entertainment venues should post printed materials in prominent
areas to disseminate AIDS prevention information. Medical workers
have the duty to provide information on AIDS prevention and condom
use to their patients.
Health departments, together with Red Cross Societies, should
encourage all healthy, young citizens to donate blood. Public
security departments must intensify the fight against illegal blood
collection.
Pregnant women will receive free AIDS prevention medical
services to reduce the possibility of mother-to-baby HIV
transmission.
Research and production of new AIDS treatments will accelerate
and the government will increase spending in this area.
Financially strapped AIDS sufferers and their families will
receive financial assistance from the government and more effort
will be made to eliminate social discrimination against them.
International cooperation will be enhanced and international
experience in AIDS prevention and treatment will be studied and
introduced.
(Xinhua News Agency May 10, 2004)