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Premier says China determined, capable of curbing HIV/AIDS

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  • Premier says China determined, capable of curbing HIV/AIDS

    Premier says China determined, capable of curbing HIV/AIDS

    Xinhua news agency, Beijing
    13 Jun 05

    Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua
    (New China News Agency)

    Beijing, 13 June: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told UN officials here
    Monday [13 June] 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 Programme 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 behaviours 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. After
    the meeting, Wen met with Armenia's Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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