Guest fountainhall Posted May 20, 2011 Posted May 20, 2011 An article in the Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal and reported on the BBC's website today claims that efforts to improve access to HIV retroviral drugs have cut deaths in China by 60% over the last 7 years. China introduced free anti-retroviral drugs in 2003, reaching more than 60% of patients by 2009. But experts say more needs to be done to speed up diagnosis and improve access to treatment in certain groups. Lead author Professor Fujie Zhang, from the National Centre for Aids/STD Control and Prevention, in Beijing, said: "Given the size of the country, and the geographical spread of individuals with HIV... China's treatment coverage is remarkable... but it is far from the goal of complete coverage of people who meet the treatment criteria." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13444452 If this is true, then it is laudable progress in a country which did not report HIV statistics until much later than many other countries. But with such a large population, can it really be true? How many of those infected with HIV, with little access to education programmes about condom use and HIV, remain outside the net of official statistics? Quite a number, I think. Quote
