A giant red ribbon is set up outside the Bird Nest during a World AIDS Day event in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 30, 2008. UNAIDS and China Red Cross on Sunday jointly organized an event "One Goal One Dream - of a world without Stigma", in commemoration of the World AIDS Day 2008 which falls on December 1.(Chinese media/Meng Lijing)
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BEIJING, Nov. 30 (Chinese media) -- China should step up
efforts to eliminate discrimination against HIV positive persons, Bernhard
Schwartlander, UNAIDS China Country Coordinator said here on Sunday.
"The situation (of discrimination against HIV postive persons) is really a cause for concern," said Schwartlander during a publicity campaign organized by the Health Ministry, Red Cross Society of China, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), just one day ahead of the World AIDS Day which falls on December 1.
Volunteers form a red ribbon during a World AIDS Day event at the Olympic Green next to the Bird Nest in Beijing, capital of China Nov. 30, 2008. UNAIDS and China Red Cross on Sunday jointly organized an event "One Goal One Dream - of a world without Stigma", in commemoration of the World AIDS Day 2008 which falls on December 1. (Chinese media/Xing Guangli)
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"There are still many misconceptions about AIDS. This
contributes to stigma and discrimination and creates obstacles for effective
prevention, treatment, care and support," Schwartlander said.
Research shows that stigma and discrimination are
still prevalent among the general public in China. A recent survey of more than
6,000 respondents in six Chinese cities showed that 30 percent of the
respondents think children living with HIV should not be allowed to study at the
same schools with other students.
It also finds that nearly 65 percent of the respondents were unwilling to stay in the same room with an HIV positive person, and 48 percent would be unwilling to have meal with HIV carriers.
Volunteers wear red ribbons on their faces during a World AIDS Day event at the Olympic Green in Beijing, capital of China Nov. 30, 2008. UNAIDS and China Red Cross on Sunday jointly organized an event "One Goal One Dream - of a world without Stigma", in commemoration of the World AIDS Day 2008 which falls on December 1. (Chinese media/Xing Guangli)
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Schwartlander said stigma kept people from seeking
information and services that could save them and their partners from infection
and ensure that people already infected get adequate treatment.
Organizers of Sunday's campaign also invited experts
to provide free consultation on prevention of AIDS, and dispatched free condoms.
The organizers also hung three giant red ribbons, a
symbol for the fight against AIDS, on the iconic National Stadium, also known as
the "Bird's Nest".
"The display illustrates China's determination in
preventing and combating AIDS and in particular, in its fight against stigma and
discrimination," said Mao Qun'an, spokesman with China's Health Ministry.
Schwartlander said that with AIDS spreading all over
the world, China's move to display red ribbons on the national stadium
illustrated its leadership in combating AIDS all over the world in such an
inspirational manner.
Globally there are about 33 million people living
with HIV/AIDS. The latest survey estimates that approximately 700,000 people are
living with HIV/AIDS in China and sexual transmission is currently the most
common way of HIV infection.
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