HIV carriers in Henan estimated at 35,000
( 2003-11-17 11:04) (Xinhua)
Central China's Henan
Province has recently taken a series of measures to contain the spread of
AIDS/HIV. Many local people became AIDS victims through unsanitary blood
selling.
Experts estimate that there are about 35,000 HIV carriers in the province.
Since the first HIV carrier was found in Henan in March 1995, a total of 6,524
cases had been officially reported and 1,940 of whom now show AIDS symptoms.
The HIV victims in Henan are densely located in several areas which had seen
unsanitary blood selling.
With years of efforts, Henan has effectively stopped transmission through
blood and through pregnant women to their unborn babies. However, intravenous
drug use and prostitution are still dangerous factors for the spread of HIV. In
addition, lack of HIV knowledge makes people especially vulnerable to the virus.
As one of the regions with a large rural population in China, Henan is
economically backward. The provincial government has promised free treatment to
farmer AIDS patients and those with financial problems. More efforts will also
be made against illegalactivities including drug trafficking and use,
prostitution and blood selling.
The provincial government has called for better protection of HIV victims'
legitimate rights and opposes social discrimination. A service network will be
set up in Henan to provide medical help and care to HIV victims, said sources
with the Henan provincial government.
Chinese central and local governments will invest 2.25 billion yuan (272
million US dollars) mainly to strengthen the blood testing stations in the
central and western regions, Chinese executive deputy health minister Gao Qiang
said recently.
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