China Aims to Bring AIDS Spread Under Control by 2020

China has set 2020 as a goal to control the spread of AIDS within its boundaries, despite ignorance of how to prevent HIV and ineffective policies in some parts of the country, said the government on Wednesday.

According to Ministry of Health and UN estimates, China had between 560,000 and 920,000 HIV-positive people, and 97,000-112,000 AIDS patients in 2009.

"AIDS prevention work is a complex and long-term task," said the central government on its website. However, "experience at home and abroad proves it can be prevented and controlled."

As part of the goal, China plans to stem the escalation of cases in key areas and among certain populations by 2015. The government will bolster information campaigns, more widely distribute condoms publicly, and continue its efforts to reign in prostitution. Additional attention will also be paid to identifying those infected with the virus, the statement continued, noting that monitoring and testing measures will be implemented.

China's HIV/AIDS problem became critical in the 1990s when hundreds of thousands of poor farmers contracted the virus through bungled blood-buying scams. Initially reticent, China has in recent years heightened its HIV/AIDS fight, with senior leaders publicly meeting AIDS patients to combat pervasive stigma and discrimination.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.


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