China is launching a campaign to popularize the use of condoms
as a tool to prevent the spread of AIDS.
Starting on Monday, August 1, condoms will be provided at public
and recreation places in regions such as Beijing and East China's
Jiangsu Province.
Sponsored by six ministries, the campaign aims to control and
prevent the spread of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)
and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Departments of health at all levels are responsible for public
education on AIDS and the use of the condoms.
Official statistics show China has an estimated 840,000 HIV
carriers and about 80,000 AIDS patients. Experts said the actual
figure could be much higher than that because sometimes it is hard
to register all these people.
If the situation is not controlled by 2010, the number of HIV
carriers in China could hit 12 million, officials said.
Although the prevalence is still low, there has been an
accelerated increase, and the high prevalence in some regions and
high mortality rate among certain groups has made the Chinese
Government realize the magnitude of the peril.
Condoms are one of the most effective ways to prevent AIDS,
experts said.
In Beijing, a number of condom vending machines will be set up
at universities, while in hotels, bars, and in regions inhabited by
migrants, condoms will be provided directly or through condom
vending machines.
In Haikou, capital of South China's Hainan Province, the
municipal government has demanded co-operation from the departments
of health, public security and tourism to popularize the use of
condoms.
Vending machines will be set up at hotels, bars, colleges and in
regions inhabited by migrants, while free pamphlets and posters
will also be widely employed for AIDS-related education.
(China Daily July 31, 2004)