Shanghai reported a record number of new HIV infections
last year, according to the municipal public health
administration.
There were 718 HIV infections last year, and 53 HIV patients
developed AIDS. The number of infections represents a 54 percent
increase over the previous year and a record.
Despite the higher figures, the incidence rate of the disease in
Shanghai is still lower than the national average, said Cai Wei,
vice-director of the municipal public health administration.
Shanghai reported its first HIV infection in 1987. Since then,
2,313 infections had been reported by the end of 2006. One hundred
people have died.
Cai attributed the increase to a variety of factors present in
the city, including the sex trade and drug addiction. Health
authorities have been working to combat the disease, but many
underground businesses offering sex services continue to operate in
the shadows, making it difficult to compile accurate data.
Health authorities have been working with police to shed light
on such businesses. And Shanghai is planning to strengthen its
public health system under a three-year plan. The city is also
slated to open more methadone clinics for drug users.
"Shanghai is like other larger cities in East China, which have
been reporting more HIV transmissions through sexual intercourse in
recent years," said an official surnamed Zhuang from the city's
disease control center.
"All government departments should be involved," Zhuang said.
"HIV is not just an infectious disease, it is a social problem, and
fighting it will take coordination from all departments, from legal
and educational bodies, to the women's federation and border
inspectors."
The city's recently published five-year plan against HIV/AIDS
emphasizes government intervention and education. It requires 90
percent of government officials to be trained in how to deal with
the disease and calls for most citizens and migrants to receive
some sort of education about preventing HIV/AIDS and blood
safety.
Sexually transmitted diseases are becoming increasingly common
in Shanghai. In March alone, the city reported 935 syphilis cases,
accounting for more than a quarter of the new cases of serious
infectious diseases in the city .
Health authorities operate three hotlines dealing with HIV/AIDS
prevention. They provide information about the disease, expert
advice about prevention and medical advice for infected
patients.
"The hotlines are effective in spreading information and helping
intervention," Zhuang said. "The treatment of AIDS is covered by
the city's medical insurance system."
He added that people who are not covered by the system can
receive free medication if they apply.
(China Daily April 14, 2007)