Earlier treatment for HIV/AIDS sufferers mulled

Initiative aims to help patients live longer and healthier lives

The central government may expand free treatment for HIV/AIDS patients in response to international calls for earlier and appropriate treatment, according to a senior official.

Wu Zunyou, director of the National Center for AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control and Prevention, was speaking on Tuesday after the World Health Organization issued new HIV/AIDS treatment guidelines highlighting earlier antiretroviral therapy, or ART.