As many as 11,844 people have been confirmed HIV-positive in central China's Henan Province, Vice Provincial Governor Wang Jumei said at a news press conference Thursday, China Youth Daily reported Friday.

According to Wang, AIDS has made 2,026 children orphaned in the province.

While taking tough measures to prevent the spread of AIDS, the province tries to provide subsistence and schooling to those orphans.

Currently, some of the orphans are being raised by their relatives or adopted by other families, to each of whom, the government allocates 100 yuan (US$12) every month as living subsidy.

The rest of the orphans are accommodated in public orphanages, Wang said.

All local governments have made investment to build orphanages. For instance, Zhumadian City last year invested five million yuan for this purpose.

In addition, the provincial government plans to invest 80 million yuan to build a primary school and clinical room for each village where those orphans live.

(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2004)