HIV/AIDS patients in South China's Guangdong
Province will soon receive free medical checks and treatment
amid cries for extra measures to prevent the situation from
deteriorating.
About 170 HIV/AIDS sufferers of a poor socio-economic status will
be the first to receive the free treatment, officials
announced.
The first batch of complimentary anti-viral medication arrived at
Guangzhou No. 8 People's Hospital early last week, said Cai
Weiping, director of the infectious disease department at the
hospital.
"The drugs are being delivered to the people who need them," said
Cai.
According to Lin Peng, director of the HIV/AIDS Division with the
Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control (CDC), all the
anti-virus drugs will be collected at the CDC, before being shipped
to the designated hospitals.
These hospitals, according to the city's healthcare authority, are
Nanfang Hospital, No. 3 Hospital affiliated to Sun Yat-sen Medical
University, and the No. 8 People's Hospital.
Overseas Chinese Hospital has been appointed to receive HIV
carriers and AIDS patients by the Guangdong provincial healthcare
authority.
Outside the capital Guangzhou, each city is to designate one
hospital to be responsible for the free diagnosis and clinical
treatment of patients.
Poor patients, especially farmers and township citizens who have no
medical insurance, are to receive clinical tests and anti-viral
medication free of charge.
For pregnant women, medicine to block the virus infecting the baby
will also be complimentary.
To HIV/AIDS orphans, a financial aid plan is being discussed by the
health, education and civil affairs authorities.
Testing reagent for the baby's health is also included.
In fact, anyone who wants to be tested for HIV/AIDS will have an
opportunity to be given the exam gratis.
If given the all-clear after two tests, an optional third test will
have to be paid for.
Testees' personal information will be treated confidentially.
According to statistics from the Guangdong Provincial Health
Bureau, there are over 3,000 HIV carriers in the province, ranking
fourth in China.
Among them, about 150 are AIDS patients.
(China Daily October 20, 2004)