Premier Wen: China determined to curb HIV/AIDS
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-06-14 08:33

Premier Wen Jiabao told UN officials Monday that China is determined and capable of controlling HIV/AIDS in the country.

"China is still facing serious challenges in HIV/AIDS prevention and control, but the Chinese government is determined and capable of curbing the spread of the disease to ensure the people live a healthy and peaceful life," Wen said in a meeting with Peter Piot, executive director of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

China has an estimated 840,000 people infected with HIV, including 80,000 with full blown AIDS.

Wen said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the work of HIV/AIDS prevention and control and has set up a working mechanism led by the government, coordinated by different departments, and participated by all social sectors.

China's cabinet set up a high-level committee in 2004. The organization, known as the AIDS Prevention Committee, is headed by Vice-Premier Wu Yi, and involves 23 departments and institutions of the central government and leading officials of concerned departments of seven provincial governments.

Wen said China has formulated its national guideline on HIV/AIDS prevention and enacted a series of policies. "We also greatly increased financial input and manpower into the fight against HIV/AIDS."

In September 2003, the Chinese government announced that it would provide free anti-retroviral treatment to AIDS patients in rural areas and those urbanite sufferers with financial difficulties. The government also promised free HIV screening, free therapy to intercepting mother-to-infant transmission, free infant HIV testing and financial assistance for orphans whose parents have died of AIDS.

Wen said China also increased the intervention work among the groups with high-risk behaviors and enhanced public education to improve people's awareness of self-protection and reduce social discrimination.

"Those efforts have led to significant results," he said, adding that the Chinese government will continue to intensify the efforts and make sure that all the policies and measures will be fully implemented.

Wen also expressed appreciation for international help, saying that the Chinese government wants to improve exchanges and cooperation with the international community to make its due contribution to the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

Piot said he was deeply impressed with Chinese government's determination and policies in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

He said China is playing a positive role in the global fight against HIV/AIDS and the UNAIDS will continue to offer its help and support.