Health care systems in transition: People's Republic of China. Part II: The Chinese health care system's response to HIV-AIDS.

Abstract

Since the diagnosis of the first AIDS case in China in 1985 by the first half of 1995 1774 patients had been diagnosed as being HIV positive some of whom now also have AIDS. Between 1985 and 1993 more than 300 HIV-infected people had been identified through quarantine offices along the borders making up one-quarter of the reported infections during that period. Until now more than 75 per cent of the reported HIV cases are drug users. Within the Southwest border region most of the infected individuals are injecting drug users. In the coastal cities and interior provinces HIV-infected individuals are also found among returned expatriate workers. In the large cities HIV-infected individuals are found among patients attending sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinics prostitutes and those with multiple sexual partners. Recently introduced routine screening has also diagnosed HIV-infected individuals among blood donors. The Chinese Government takes HIV prevention very seriously. Within the health care system groups of professionals who specialize in HIV-related control surveillance education treatment and research are being formed. A quarantine service is currently operated as one of the supplementary approaches though its role within HIV-related containment strategies is being evaluated. These strategies are centred around prevention centres involving all tiers from central to local government. In addition a number of community organizations research agencies and nongovernment organizations have become involved in HIV prevention. Multiple agencies and scientists representing multiple disciplines are working together to formulate appropriate HIV prevention policies. The best known non-government organizations which have made important contributions to the work performed to date include the China Association of STD and AIDS Prevention and Control and China AIDS Network. (excerpt)