China's State Council underscored the importance of fighting HIV/AIDS by setting out nine measures for prevention and control at an executive meeting yesterday chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao.
Participants in the meeting noted that China's AIDS situation has entered a crucial stage. Governments at all levels must fully realize the importance and urgency of the AIDS crisis, they said. The entire society must participate in AIDS prevention and control, they said.
The meeting participants called on governments and social organizations at all levels to formulate action plans, define working objectives, tasks and policies and identify AIDS prevention and treatment work as a key public health task during the country's 11th Five-Year Plan (2006- 2010). Funds must be allocated in government budgets, the meeting ordered.
In addition, HIV/AIDS education must be strengthened to improve public awareness. And the monitoring network should be improved to control the epidemic.
Meanwhile, interventions involving high-risk groups and crackdowns on drug trafficking, drug use and prostitution must be continued. Blood collection and the operation of blood centers must comply with the law.
Local governments must continue to provide free treatment to HIV carriers, including free anti-viral medicine, free anonymous testing and free medicine for pregnant women. Free services must also include education for orphans of AIDS victims and care for HIV/AIDS families.
The meeting also urged localities to protect the legal rights of HIV carriers, fight societal discrimination and strengthen moral and legal education for HIV carriers.
HIV/AIDS prevention and control in the rural and migrant populations must be strengthened, the State Council said. And Scientific research on HIV/AIDS vaccines and treatment drugs must be speeded up.