BEIJING, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Today is the 22nd World AIDS Day calling for universal access to necessary prevention, treatment, care and support as well as the respect for human rights for all. Some of UNFPA China’s national partners, including the Ministry of Railway, China Family Planning Association and China Population and Development Research Center are reaching out to migrants, rural people and female sex workers to deliver HIV prevention messages.
“UNFPA is dedicated to support our national partners to intensify HIV prevention efforts, especially to reduce sexual transmission risks. One way to save and improve lives is to integrate sexual and reproductive health and HIV policies, systems and services, and to ensure access to all in need,” says Dr. Bernard Coquelin, UNFPA China representative. Today, between 600,000 and 900,000 people are estimated to be living with HIV in China. The rate of sexual transmission among new infections has been on the increase for years and become the predominant mode of HIV transmission. Today, approximately 75 percent of all new infections are through sexual transmission, and trends seem to be increasing.
With support from UNFPA and UNAIDS, the Ministry of Railway is joining hands with China Red Cross to deliver tailored HIV messages to migrant passengers. The main event Red Ribbon Travels around China, HIV Prevention Train Campaign is being organized in the South Railway Station in Beijing while satellite events are happening in other major railway stations. With UNFPA support, the Ministry of Railway initiated HIV prevention campaigns targeting migrants using trains during busy travel periods such as the Spring Festival holiday and summers since 2006.
The China Population and Development Research Center, the implementing agency of UNFPA’s HIV prevention programme in 10 counties promoting integration of HIV prevention with sexual and reproductive health policies, systems and services, are assisting township level family planning service providers. Community-based activities targeting rural people of reproductive health age are being organized in various forms, ranging from cultural performances, condom promotion and free counseling.
The China Family Planning Association, supporting the 100% Condom Use Programme targeting female sex workers, is organizing activities tailored for female sex workers and entertainment venue owners in 4 counties in China, namely Kaili of Guizhou, Dongliao of Jilin, Changjiang of Hainan and Tengchong of Yunnan. The activities include free sexually transmitted infection check-ups, information materials and condom distribution, as well as anti stigma and discrimination events.
