The capital city is setting up 19 outpatient services offering
free AIDS consultations and examination, according to the Beijing
Disease Prevention and Control Center.
Nearly 100 professionals have received a two-day training course
that concluded on Thursday, said He Xiong, vice-director of the
center.
People who have concerns about HIV/AIDS can come to the stations
and speak with doctors face-to-face at no cost. The municipal
government will pay the preliminary HIV test fee of 50 yuan (US$6)
per person.
He guaranteed that every person coming to the consultation
centers will be treated with the strictest confidence.
HIV test results, identified by a code rather than by the name
of the examinee, will be available the same day. A positive result
will require further testing for confirmation, said He.
In June this year, the municipal government issued a notice
requiring local governments to assist those who cannot afford the
follow-up tests.
The Disease Prevention and Control Center has already set up one
such outpatient service center, and the other 18 at district and
county levels will soon be opened.
Lu Hongyan, head of the municipal AIDS prevention and control
service, said the city has more than 60 labs that can conduct HIV
tests. But free consultation and examination will only be available
initially at the 19 designated centers.
Meanwhile, the Beijing Health Bureau has designated Ditan
Hospital and You’an Hospital as free AIDS treatment hospitals.
By the end of 2003, 1,648 HIV/AIDS cases had been identified in
Beijing. Experts believe that the actual number is far higher.
Of the total cases, 338 are native Beijingers, 1,215 are
originally from other provinces and 95 are foreign nationals. The
epidemic situation in the capital is ranked seventh nationwide.
Additional information on the consultation and testing centers
is available by calling 6223 8683.
(China Daily August 13, 2004)
