The Chinese government on Sunday made public a new regulation on
HIV/AIDS prevention and control, and pledged to exert more efforts
to eventually winning the fight against the deadly disease.
The Regulation on AIDS Prevention and Control, issued by the
State Council, or the central government, on January 18, will take
effect from March 1.
"I am pleased to see the final report, which constitutes a
crucial part of the country's overall anti-AIDS strategy," said
Joel Rehnstrom, country coordinator of UNAIDS China office, in an
interview with Xinhua.
"This indicates a good progress, showing the strong commitment
of the Chinese leadership," he said.
The issue of AIDS is not only an issue of public health but also
an issue of society, which is related to numerous factors like
anti-drug combat and behaviors of special groups, noted an official
in charge of the Legislative Affairs Office under the State
Council. He asked not to be named.
On January 25, China announced new estimated AIDS figures
jointly worked out by the Ministry of Health, UNAIDS and the World
Health Organization (WHO).
According to the report, there are currently 650,000 HIV/AIDS
cases including 75,000 AIDS patients in China.
Although the figure is almost 200,000 less than in 2003, experts
have warned the situation is not actually improving.
"Governments must shoulder the main responsibilities in the
prevention and control of AIDS," the Chinese official said.
According to the regulation, governments above the county level
must lead the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, including setting
up a coordinating mechanism, specifying responsibilities and giving
supervision to the relevant departments.
Prevention and control also requires extensive cooperation from
every citizen, especially grassroots units and citizen groups, the
official acknowledged.
Local governments need to work more to pool resources, according
to Wiwat Rojanapithayakorn, HIV/AIDS team leader of the WHO China
office.
Besides specifying duties of governments, the regulation also
lists the rights and obligations of people living with HIV/AIDS and
AIDS patients.
"Protection of their rights and balancing those rights with
obligations were key considerations when drafting the regulation,"
the Chinese official told Xinhua.
According to the regulation, no working unit or individual can
discriminate against people living with HIV/AIDS, AIDS patients and
their relatives. Their rights of marriage, employment, medical care
and education are protected by law.
For instance, no organization or individual can disclose the
names, addresses and work places of people living with
HIV/AIDS,AIDS patients and their relatives without permission.
With regard to testing, voluntary testing needs to be ensured in
the control of HIV/AIDS, Rehnstrom said.
Meanwhile, people living with HIV/AIDS and AIDS patients should
fulfill a few obligations, according to the regulation, including
informing their sexual partners and doctors of their condition, and
taking the necessary measures against possibly infecting
others.
"Those who are found to have deliberately spread the disease
will be accused in line with civil or criminal laws," the Chinese
official said.
However, given full access to education, treatment and a sound
living environment, most patients will not intentionally spread the
disease, Rehnstrom said, adding that "they just want to live as
normal members of society."
(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2006)