The number of HIV carriers reached 2,046 in Beijing at the end of
September this year, according to the municipal health bureau.
The figure of local HIV carriers has increased by 40.6 percent annually since
1998, the bureau announced Wednesday.
The confirmed HIV carriers include 403 Beijingers, 1,507 migrant, 106 foreign
nationals and 30 people with unclear address.
Beijing municipal government has adopted a series of measures to curb the
spread of the killer disease. Beginning in July, disease control centers of all
the city's districts and counties, and some local hospitals have launched free
consultations and AIDStests.
The municipal health bureau has designated Ditan and You'an hospitals to
offer free treatment on HIV carriers and AIDS patients. The bureau is held
responsible for purchasing the medicines and supplies needed in treatment.
Among other measures are installation of condom vending machines, free condom
handout to special groups and launching of aneedle exchange program, which gives
clean needles to drug users to reduce risks for spreading AIDS.
