AIDS campaign to focus on migrants, students
By Fei Li (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-07-26 06:19

Love on campus is not a rare phenomena in China nowadays. [China Daily/file]

When China's first AIDS case was detected in 1985, it was thought to be something associated with "capitalist evils" or an exotic disease about which China need not worry.

According to official statistics, China now has 840,000 people infected with HIV and more than 80,000 AIDS patients.

Considering the huge population, abysmally low public awareness about HIV/AIDS and the frail public health system, China faces an uphill battle against this fatal disease.

Prevention through education has proved to be the most effective weapon to curb this deadly scourge, which, if not checked, will result in catastrophe.

Although China discovered this method a little late, which is the reason why much of society is ill informed, it has begun to change tack in recent years.

In 2003, marking World AIDS Day, Premier Wen Jiabao shook hands and chatted with AIDS patients, becoming the first top Chinese leader to do so publicly.

The government's publicity campaigns about AIDS prevention are commendable.

The decision to launch an AIDS prevention education campaign targeting migrant workers and university students shows the authorities are becoming more down-to-earth in their handling of HIV/AIDS.

It is hoped similar campaigns will soon cover the country's vast rural and remote areas, where 80 per cent of the country's HIV carriers and AIDS patients reside and where public awareness about AIDS is appallingly low.

Everyone should be made aware if AIDS is to be halted. It is society's duty a responsibility that we cannot afford to shirk.

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