China and the United States have jointly launched an HIV/AIDS prevention program to fight the disease in central and southwestern China.
The program will initially inject US$7 million to help non-governmental organizations prevent AIDS in 10 provinces and regions, health officials said.
Yunnan, Henan and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are among the regions to benefit from the program. It was organized by the US-based Agency for International Development in cooperation with China's Ministry of Health.
In the next five years, the program will provide US$15 million, as well as other assistance such as training and technical support to help improve HIV from spreading, said Li Huojia, director of the Disease Control Section with the Guangxi Regional Health Department.
In Guangxi, the program will target Pingxiang city and Ningming county, located at the China-Vietnam border. It's goal is to improve the personal hygiene of HIV carriers, AIDS patients and their family members while providing clinic services and advice.
(Xinhua)