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China HIV/AIDS Blood Supply
Chronology
1985
3 September 1985
China's Ministry
of Health announced that China has banned all blood products from entering China, except for a small
quantity of human serum albumin. This action was done to prevent AIDS from entering China.
––“China Bans Import of Blood Products," Xinhua,
3 September 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe,
3 September 1985, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 29 November 1985
The Guangming
Daily reported that the central government should ban homosexuality, require blood tests for all
foreigners and ban the importation of all blood products in China except for limited amounts of plasma
globulin. The recommendations were made to stop AIDS from entering China.
––"China Calls
for Sexual Restraint to Prevent AIDS," Associated Press, 2 December 1985;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 December 1985,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1986
22 October 1986
China Daily has reported
that four Chinese have been confirmed to be HIV positive. They were reportedly infected after “being
injected with imported medication.” “The official press has called for a crackdown on 'sexual
liberalization' and homosexuality to prevent the spread of the disease.” Western observers note that this is
the first time the Chinese government has reported its own citizens being HIV positive.
––“Four Chinese Found to Carry AIDS,” Associated Press, 22 October 1986; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 22 October 1986, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 24 October 1986
No one on the
Chinese mainland has been found to be suffering from AIDS, said Cao Qing, leader of a AIDS investigating
team. Cao noted that four Chinese hemophiliacs were found to be HIV positive after receiving blood
products imported from the United States. The four patients are said not to be suffering any symptoms.
––“China has not yet Discovered AIDS Patients,"
Xinhua, 24 October 1986; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 24 October 1986,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1987
7 February 1987
China reported its
first AIDS-related death of a Chinese person contracting AIDS in China. The victim was a 13-year-old
hemophiliac boy who contracted AIDS from imported blood products.
––"AIDS Virus-Infected Patients Taken Good Care of,"
Xinhua, 7 December 1987; n Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 7 December 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 18 June 1987
During an interview with China's
Health News, Cao Qing, China's anti-AIDS leader, urged stricter regulations on the importing of foreign
blood products. Even though the central government placed a ban on all imports of foreign blood in September
1984, port officials at Dalian found that 60,000 units of gamma globulin imported in 1985 tested positive
for HIV.
––“Stricter Control Urged Over
Imported Blood Products," Xinhua, 18 June 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 June 1987,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 9 December 1987
The Canadian
Embassy reported that a Canadian woman who died from AIDS may have been infected from a acupuncture
treatment she received about 20 months before. According to the Health and Welfare Canada, she did not
belong to any high risk group. To date, China as reported three AIDS-related deaths: Argentine tourist,
Chinese man infected while living in the Untied States, and a 13-year-old hemophiliac. According to Chinese
health officials there have been no cases of AIDS being transmitted in China. Chinese officials dismiss the
report as "medically unsound."
––"Embassy Says
Canadian Died From AIDS after Acupuncture Treatment," Associated Press, 9 December 1987; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 9 December 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com;
"Doctor Refutes Report of Acupuncture-Transmitted AIDS," Xinhua, 10 December 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 10 December 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1988
28 January 1988
Zeng
Yi, Deputy Director of the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine reported that all blood products
manufactured by the Changchun Institute of Biological Products in Jilin province were free from the AIDS
virus. The tests examined 51 batches of albumin, 63 batches of immune globulin, 40 batches of hepatitis B
vaccine and two batches of factor VII vaccine. Furthermore, 3,700 potential blood donors in Changchun were
also shown to be free from the AIDS virus.
––"Changchun's Blood Products Free from AIDS Virus," Xinhua, 28 January 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 28 January 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1989
26 April 1989
The Guangzhou based Nanfang
Daily reported that a blood product made in Spain tested positive for the AIDS virus. The r-globulin,
labeled as gamma biomar was originally purchased in Macau, and brought into China. Chinese
health officials are asking anyone who might have taken this product to be tested for HIV/AIDS as soon as
possible.
––"Product Test Reveals AIDS,"
Xinhua, 26 April 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 26 April 1989, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1993
19 February 1993
An epidemiologist at the Guangdong sanitation authorities, warns China has
not yet established a nation-wide system for testing blood donors for the AIDS virus, thus creating a high
risk of spreading AIDS through China’s blood supply. “Moreover, disposable syringes are not yet in common
use in urban China and traditional reusable syringes are still used in rural areas most of the time.” China
has discovered about 1,000 HIV carriers to date.
––“’Expert’ Says ‘High Risk’ of Contracting AIDS in China,” Zhongguo
Tongxun She (Hong Kong), 19 February 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 March 1993,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 24 July 1993
French AIDS expert Christian
Policard, President of Sanofi-Diagnostics-Pasteur (SDP) believes China should perform HIV tests on
foreigners and high risk groups such as prostitutes, addicts and homosexuals. Also, according to Policard,
the risk of contamination by blood transfusion remains minimal.
––"Between 5,000 and 10,000 HIV Carriers in China," Agence France
Presse, 24 July 1993, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 24 July 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com; 3 August 1993
China Daily reported
the city of Beijing will begin testing blood products used in transfusions for the AIDS virus. For many
outside observers, this move is an indication of China moving away from it position that the way to control
AIDS is to control foreigners entering China. Beijing currently has 45 registered cases of HIV carriers. To
date Beijing has reported no HIV infections through blood transfusions. Shanghai began testing blood
products in 1992.
––"Beijing to Test Blood
Products Used in Transfusions," Agence France Presse, 3 August 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe,
3 August 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1994
1 December 1994
Experts attending an international AIDS symposium in Beijing recommend
China’s medical units test all blood products utilized both in clinical and laboratory use. So far, testing
is only conducted in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Yunnan. A recent report presented at the symposium
estimated “some 196 blood donors across the country have been carriers of the virus.” It warned, “If blood
testing is not carried out immediately, some 3,000 to 7,000 people will be infected in the next decade.” The
experts called for Beijing to offer grants and loans to local districts to set up blood testing
laboratories. Also, they called for a standardized “nationwide inspection of the management of blood
products.”
––“To Raise Awareness of AIDS,” Xinhua, 1 December 1994;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1994,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 19 December 1994
The Beijing Youth Daily reported that “three recent blood donors in
Beijing and Shanghai were carrying the AIDS virus.” The report did not give any further details. However,
the report cited “government information submitted to the Asian Development Bank said that 83 to 196 of
China’s blood donors carry the AIDS virus.” No information was given on how large China’s pool of blood
donors is.
––“Three HIV Carriers Discovered Among Beijing, Shanghai Blood Donors,”
Associated Press, 19 December 1994; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 19 December 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1995
2 January 1995
Police in Tianjin have discovered a group that would force kidnapped
children and mislead peasants to donate blood and then sell the blood to state-owned blood banks. The
Tianjin Evening News reported men would go to the railway stations "to lure innocent people by offering
good jobs, food and accommodations." Police reported everyday 200 to 400 ml of blood were forcibly taken
from the victim. According to United Press International, in China there is no system for voluntary blood
donations. Hospitals and blood banks will pay anyone willing to sell their blood, and there is no screening
for AIDS or Hepatitis. This is the second report of people being forced to donate blood. Last December,
another group was discovered in northern China.
––“Chinese Children Forced to Sell Blood," United Press International, 2
January 1995; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 2 January 1995, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 12 April 1995
Chinese Health Minister Chen Minzhang reported that at the end of 1994,
1,775 Chinese were HIV positive. Of the 1,775 cases, 65 had developed AIDS and 45 have died. Chen added that
70 percent of cases are intravenous drug users, but the transmission by sexual contact was on the increase.
Chen also said "some patients were infected during blood transfusions."
––“Sexual Contact Reported to be Growing Source of AIDS in China,”
Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 12 April 1995, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 12 April 1995,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 14 April 1995
The Guangming Daily reported China has established the National
Blood Products Management in an effort to control and prevent the spread of AIDS through contaminated blood
products. China has 1,775 confirmed cased of HIV infections, 65 have full-blown AIDS, of which 45 have
died. Health Minister Chen Minzhang confirmed "some patients were infected when they came into contact with
contaminated blood," the report stated.
––“China Sets Up Blood Testing to Battle AIDS," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 14 April 1995;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 14 April 1995,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 5 November 1995
The Ministry of Health (MOH) listed the blood-for-cash system, its own limitation in screening for
HIV, and a heavy reliance on migrant blood donors as the primary sources of a probable AIDS epidemic in
China. An official with the World Health Organization (WHO) states that offering money for blood
donation naturally attracted the groups most at risk for carrying HIV - the down-and-out, drug addicts,
prostitutes, and migrants. The State Council is currently reviewing a five year plan to fight the
spread of AIDS in China. The first priority focuses on preventing the spread of AIDS through sexual
behavior. It will achieve this aim by counseling high risk groups, such as prostitutes, drug addicts,
homosexuals, long-distance truck drivers, patients with venereal diseases and migrants, especially women.
The secondary priority is to clean up the blood supply. But according to Qi Xiaoqiu, Deputy Director
of the Health Ministry's Department of Disease Control, the Ministry of Health has requested that blood
screening be done in the big cities since 1993, "but it is expensive." Qi stated, "Local officials say
they don't have a (AIDS) problem so they don't do it. And, even if you can afford the reagents, they're hard
to find." According to Emile Fox, a WHO expert, "China is the first country to have policies and plans
in place before an epidemic."
––Charles
Hutzler, "Blood Problems, Poverty Point to AIDS Outbreak in China," Associated Press, 5 November 1995;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5
November 1995, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1996
3 May 1996
Beijing hosted
a blood drive to encourage blood donation and increase the quality of China's blood supply. Sun Baiqiu,
Vice-Chairman of China's Red Cross Society said donated blood is preferred over sold blood because the
quality is better and the donor's overall health tends to be better. However, all donors must have a medical
check-up before they donate. Also, the blood can only be used after it is tested for hepatitis-B,
hepatitis-C, HIV, syphilis, and other viruses. Most of the 800,000 liters of blood collected annually is
used in hospitals and plasma used in the production of 4,000 tons of blood products each year is obtained
from people get paid to give blood. Donated blood accounts for less than 10 percent of the total.
––"Red Cross Blood Drive in Beijing," Xinhua, 3
May 1996; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe,
3 May 1996, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 25 October 1996
The New York Times reported that blood products called serum
albumin, manufactured by a Guangzhou Military Region enterprise call Wolongsong, and sold in Guangdong and
Hong Kong, has tested positive for the AIDS virus. The enterprise and military run blood bank was attached
to Military Hospital No. 161 and located in Wuhan. In April, the Ministry of Health ordered that all
blood products of the Wolongsong brand be removed from the shelves and destroyed. However, there was
no warning given in the Chinese press or given to foreign workers in China. The story broke earlier this
year in a New York-based Chinese newspaper, the World Journal, and a newsletter called China Focus.
After initial denials, on 28 October 1996, Minister of Health Chen Minzhang confirmed that the blood
products were contaminated with the AIDS virus, but no patient had been infected, and that none of the
products has been exported. Military hospitals are not normally accountable to Ministry of Health
officials, The New York Times reported.
––Patrick E. Tyler, "China Concedes Blood Serum Contained AIDS Virus," New York Times, 25 October
1997, p. A3; "AIDS in Blood Scare," The Australian, 28 October 1996, p. 7; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 October 1996,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 9 November 1996
Zhang Konglai,
Director of the Beijing-based China AIDS Network and a member of China's National Expert Committee on AIDS
Control said that China's blood supply system is vulnerable to contamination and has already led to six
people becoming infected with the AIDS virus. "Satisfactory control of HIV is still not possible," said
Zhong. "Its is very probable that, in the foreseeable future, an HIV epidemic is to occur within the
country." To date, China has reported 4,305 cases of HIV, and an estimated figure between 50,000 and
100,000 cases. Of the six people who contracted AIDS through infected blood or blood products, one has
developed full-blown AIDS. China's blood supply is at risk of contamination because it primarily relies on
professional blood donors who sell their blood. The system attracts drug addicts and prostitutes, as well as
the general population who want to augment their income. Zhang noted that professional blood donors in
several provinces have tested positive for HIV. A contaminated blood supply meant an "explosive rise
in HIV infection in rural areas may possible occur," he said. Approximately 80 percent of China's
population lives in the countryside.
––Didi
Kirsten Tatlow, "AIDS Specialist Warns China's AIDS Blood System Vulnerable to HIV," Associated Press, 9
November 1996; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 9 November 1996, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 6 December 1996
Chinese Premier Li
Peng announced that the State Council has issued new regulations on China's blood supply. Li said the new
laws would stipulate that all Chinese between the ages of 18 and 55 should donate blood, and calls for
stricter measures to protect the nation's blood supply. Li pointed to college students, soldiers and
government workers to "play a leading role in blood donations," reported Xinhua. The new law would ban
paid blood donations and punish blood dealers. The Workers Daily said some professional blood donors
have been found to carry AIDS virus in some areas since 1995. Furthermore, a Ministry of Health (MOH) survey
has found that "40 percent to 50 percent of people who move around the country selling their blood plasma
were infected with hepatitis C, and in some areas the infection rate was as high at 70 to 90 percent, the
paper said.
––"China Passes Rules Protecting
Blood Supply." Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 6 December 1996; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 December 1996, http://www.lexisnexis.com;
"China Aims to Clean Up Blood Supplies with New Law," Associated Press, 28 December 1996;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 December 1996, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1997
5 January 1997
Chinese Premier Li Peng signed a decree on the effective management of blood and blood products. The 48
regulatory articles "detail strict procedures for blood collection, the supervision of units that
manufacture and manage blood products, as well as 'rigorous' punishments for violators," reports Xinhua.
The new regulations were drafted in accordance with the Law on Medicine and the Law on the Prevention and
Treatment of Contagious Diseases," with the aim at preventing and controlling infectious diseases in the
country's blood supply. The new laws come after a number of Wolongsong-brand serum albumin vials
produced by the military-run factory in Wuhan were found to contain HIV. "When we realized that a sample was
infected with the HIV virus, we immediately ordered all the products recalled and all existing stocks
destroyed," said Minister of Health Chen Minzhang.
––"China Seeks to Ensure Safety of Blood Products," Agence France
Presse, 5 January 1997; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5 January 1997, http://www.lexisnexis.com; "China Toughens Rules After
Tainted Blood Sale," New York Times, 6 January 1997, p. A11;
in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 January 1997, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 28 February 1997
Following the tainted blood
products produced by a military manufacturing firm, the People's Military Surgeon published an
article analyzing the threat HIV/AIDS has on the military. [Full Text]
––Wang Chicai, Zhang Xinsheng and Li Ying, "Impact
of AIDS on the Military," Renmin Junyi (2) (People's Military Surgeon), 28 Feb 1997, pp 64-65.
1998
28 January 1998
The Changchun Institute of Biological Products in Jilin Province reported
that test conducted on 51 batches of albumin, 63 batches of immune globulin, 40 batches of hepatitis B
vaccine, and 2 batches of factor VIII vaccine were all negative of the HIV/AIDS virus. Pre-donation
physicals were conducted on Changchun blood donors and all “proved they are free of the AIDS virus.”
––“Changchun’s Blood Products Free from AIDS Virus,” Xinhua, 28
January 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 January 1998, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 6 June 1998
A 18-year-old male repeat blood
donor tested positive for HIV in Shanxi province reported the Beijing Youth Daily. The youth
sold his blood some 40 times since 1996, and then spent his earnings in nightclubs on prostitutes. The
Ministry of Health (MOH) said the boy sold his blood to a local "blood head." "Right now we cannot tell how
many people have sold blood and if some of them were also infected with HIV during the blood transmission,"
MOH officials said. Of Shanxi's 134 confirmed HIV carriers, 132 have been infected through blood
transfusions. The report stated that the Beijing Red Cross and other legal blood donor centers follow
the 1994 blood collection regulations, and follow safe collection practices when collecting plasma. However,
"in order to cut costs, some illegal (blood collection) stations transfuse mixed red cells, from many
donors, back to each individual donor, making it very likely to spread infections," the report wrote.
––Jasper Becker, "AIDS Fear as Virus Carrier Sells
Blood," South China Morning Post, 6 June 1998, p. 9; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 June 1998,
http://www.lexisnexis.com; Owen
Brown, "Tainted Blood Sparks China AIDS Fear," Australian Associated Press, 11 June 1998; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 11 June 1998, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 14
July 1998
China Daily reported that a person contracted the HIV virus from a commercial
blood donor in Linfen prefecture, Shanxi province. The patient was admitted to Linfen No. 2 Hospital when
the doctors advised him to receive a blood transfusion because anemia. The doctors of the hospital said the
family would have to provide and pay for the blood themselves. The patient's family was referred to a
middleman, who was able to find a 17-year-old commercial blood donor to sell 1,350 cc for 600 yuan (about 76
USD). The patient later tested positive for HIV and subsequently the donor also tested positive. The
hospital was forced to compensate the patient's family 126,000 yuan (15,000 USD) and the doctors and
middleman were prosecuted. The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirms that blood transmission is the primary
cause of HIV infections in Shanxi province. There are three methods of blood collection in China: selling,
obligatory donation and voluntary donation. Blood collected through voluntary donations account for
only 10 percent of the total supply for clinical use, 40 percent comes from obligatory donation and the rest
from professional donors. Shanxi reported its first HIV cases in 1995.
––"China AIDS Found in Shanxi Blood Bank," Xinhua, 14 July 1998; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 14 July 1998, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 1 October 1998
China's first law regarding
blood donation became effective today. The law "lays down the rights and duties of Chinese citizens relating
to the donation and use of blood as well as standardizing the practices of blood collection and supply
institutes," reported China Daily. China currently requires 800 tons of blood annually for
medical use. Shenzhen began
promoting voluntary blood donation in 1993. Before 1993, all blood for medical use came from professional
donors and only 30 percent met standards. In 1995 Shenzhen passed China's first blood donation regulation
and blood management, emphasizing the duty of blood donation and right to use blood. The amount of people
donating blood in Shenzhen rose from 249 in 1994 to 34,000 in 1997. Some 79 percent of all blood for
clinical use now comes from donated blood, with 90 percent being up to standard.
––"Blood Law Set for Implementing; Voluntary Donors to be Target,"
China Daily, 22 September 1998; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 September 1998,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1999
1 January 1999
Ministry of
Health (MOH) officials reported that 132 people have been infected through blood transfusions, while the
number infected with syphilis and hepatitis B and C is even greater. Even though the State Council
passed the Blood Donation Law last October 1st, few believe it can be enforced. "In some areas, entire
hamlets and townships have actually made their fortunes off selling blood. The professional blood donors
include laid-off workers, part-time laborers, drug addicts, unlicensed prostitutes, and homeless people --
groups at relatively high risk of blood-borne diseases," wrote the Financial Times Asia.
Furthermore, some blood brokers can earn up to 600,000 yuan per year in agent fees acting as middle men for
hospitals and pharmaceutical companies who request their services.
––"130 People Contract AIDS from Blood Transfusions," Financial Times,
1 January 1999; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 January 1999, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 6 August 1999
The Beijing-based Health News reports that eight subtypes
of the HIV-1 virus have been found in blood samples taken from 600 HIV/AIDS patients in 30 provinces. The
eight sub-types include HIV-1 _ A, B, B', C, D, E, F and G. Lab results show the
following distribution:
Some 47.5 percent of the samples were
sub-type B', a type transmitted from drug addicts in Thailand. Some 34.3 percent were sub-type C,
which originated from drug addicts in India. And 9.6 percent were of sub-type E,
which originated in southeast Asia. HIV-1_B' is prevalent in all
areas. sub-type C is concentrated among the intravenous drug users of Northwest China,
Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan and is spreading to east and southeast China by the transient population
from Xinjiang Autonomous Region. sub-type E is mostly found along China's southeastern
coastal areas and border areas of southwestern China. Returning laborers in the hinterland
have sub-type A, D and G, which originated from Africa. sub-type F, which
originated from South America, is found in Guangdong province. Researchers show only 4.5 percent of
the cases in Yunnan involve recomposed strains, but after the virus has entered the populations in
Xinjiang via Sichuan, Gansu and Ningxia, all strains become recomposed.
China Daily reported it took five to six
years for the rate of infection to reach 70 percent among Yunnan's drug users, but only two to three years
in Xinjiang. China currently has some 13,000 HIV/AIDS cases.
––"Type B' Found in All Area Eight HIV Strains Identified," China
Daily, 6 August 1999, p. 2; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 August 1999,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 8 November 1999
China Daily profiles
Shen (Gao) Yao Jie, a 72-year old gynecologist from Zhengzhou, Henan
in her struggle to promote HIV/AIDS awareness, safe sex and the increasing number of "quacks" that
claim they can cure any STD for a high fee. After meeting her first AIDS patient in 1996, she began
publishing a monthly newsletter on AIDS, STD and Preventive Mean. She has already published more than
40,000 copies and she has absorbed the cost by using her own savings.
––"One Granny's Mission: Crusade Against AIDS," China Daily, 8
November 1999; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 8 November 1999,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
2000
7 April 2000
During a conference marking World Health Day, Health Minister Zhang
Wenkang said "China still has a long way to go to guarantee blood safety even though its has encouraged
blood donation since the 1980s and pushed forward the implementation through enforcing a national blood
donation law on October 1998." Up to five percent of HIV infections worldwide are caused by blood
transfusions with tainted blood, however, "the proportion in China is much higher," said Shan Ouqi, a
Ministry of Health official who is in charge of blood management work.
––“Donation Viral to Blood Safety: Health Officials," Xinhua, 7 April
2000; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 7 April 2000, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 28
August 2000
China has begun a program to halt the use of second-use syringes. "The Health Ministry
(MOH) has ordered all hospitals to make sure discarded syringes are destroyed, so they do not get picked up
and resold," reported China Daily. Recently, Zhejiang police officials seized and destroyed 10
tons of used syringes. Also, the police also arrested 13 people for collecting used syringes and organizing
villagers to manually wash them, then repackage them to sell as new.
––"China Trying to Curb Thriving Market In Second-Hand Syringes," Agence
France Presse, 28 August 2000, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 August 2000,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 28
October 2000
Without permission, Dr. Gui Xian, a researcher from Hubei province, drew 155 blood
samples from farmers in Shangcai county in Henan province, where blood selling was common. Of the 155
samples, 96 were positive for HIV, including the blood sellers, their spouses and children. Also, in
Shangcai county, more than a dozen families in one village of 2,000 people have lost a relative from AIDS,
reported a Beijing-based magazine called China News Weekly. The rates of the surrounding villages are
the same. Any attempt to investigate the extent of the HIV infections is with resistance from both
officials and townspeople. "When an infectious disease specialist from Beijing made an undercover tour of
hospitals in rural Henan this year, he saw many patients who appeared to have AIDS. When his identity was
discovered, he was thrown out of the province and faced a reprimand," reported the New York Times.
Gao Yao Jie, a retired gynecologist from Zhengzhou, often uses her
retirement income to purchase second-hand clothing and some medicines to relieve some of the villager's
suffering. "No hospitals here take in these patients. Their families turn them out. There is no option, just
to die. Many people think AIDS is a bad disease, so they don't talk about it and don't admit they have it,"
she said
––Elizabeth Rosenthal, "In Rural
China, A Steep Price of Poverty: Dying of AIDS," New York Times, 28 October 2000, p. A1; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 October 2000,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 30 November 2000
The Agence France Presse (AFP) reported that the Chinese village of
Wenlou, Henan has been devastated by AIDS. “In the past two years 30 of the 800 residents have died from the
disease, while at least 10 others are dying. A sample of 155 villagers tested found 95 were HIV-positive, a
staggering 65 percent.” Making up to 5 dollars per visit, Wenlou villagers routinely donated blood to
“roaming blood banks.” Villagers told AFP that “everyone did it.”
––“Chinese Villages ‘Devoured’ by AIDS; Locals Ordered to Keep Silent,”
Agence France Presse, 30 November 2000 in FBIS CPP20001130000006.
1 December 2000
Chinese Health officials reported the total
number of HIV cases in China is 20,711. Edwin Judd, China representative of the United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned, "China is on a fast track to having a big epidemic. Unless there is
really substantial action in the next three or four years, the real danger is that we will have 10 million
cases of HIV or AIDS in the year 2010 or worse." Zeng Yi, head of one of the two biggest Chinese AIDS
non-governmental organizations said, "If they don't deal with the isolated cases, it could become a big
problem." Zeng was referring to the AIDS villages of Shangcai county, Henan province where up to 65 percent
of villagers have been infected through blood donations.
In a recent survey conducted among 3,824 people by the Ministry of
Health (MOH) and the People's University of China, just 3.8 percent of Chinese knew how HIV/AIDS is
transmitted. The poll also showed that 53.6 percent of people, both rural and urban residents, believe they
can contract AIDS though the sharing of chopsticks or bowls with an infected person. It also showed
49.5 percent believe that can catch AIDS from a sneeze, and 30 percent through shaking hands. Some 45.3
percent thought using a condom would not help them from catching HIV.
––"China Aware of AIDS Threat to Vast Population, Amid Dire Warnings,"
Agence France Presse, 1 December 2000; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe,
1 December 2000,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
2001
12 July
2001
Individual AIDS activist and retired gynecologist
Gao Yaojie has been banned
from entering the AIDS villages of Henan province. Gao stated, “Village cadres have ordered that I am not
allowed to enter their villages to meet AIDS victims. I have not been allowed to contact these patients in
person since my last visit to the Henan villages on May 1st. The move by the village cadres is
aimed at stopping me from espousing the dark side of their way of handling the AIDS issue. I’ll wait until
October 1st National Day holidays when all village cadres disappear for vacations. I’ll go to the
villages then.” Last month Gao was denied
leave to visit the US where she was to receive the 20,000 USD Jonathan Mann Award for Health and Human
Rights from the Global Health Council.
––“AIDS Crusader Banned from Entering Henan
Provincial Villages,” South China Morning Post, 12 July 2001.
9 August 2002
The
People’s Daily reported that members of the AIDS Prevention and Treatment Working Group, including its
head Yin Dakui, traveled to Wenlou village, Shangcai County, Henan Province to witness the effects of the
AIDS epidemic and “to express sympathy, to provide solace, and to carry out medical treatment.” The working
group has identified illegal blood collection as the main cause of the rural AIDS epidemic in Henan.
“According to what is known, a few ‘blood bosses’ and ‘blood bullies,’ driven by economic profit, set up
unauthorized clinics in the early 1990s and illegally and clandestinely gathered plasma. A few local
businesses and blood banks acted without authorization in Henan to set up clinics that collected plasma.
This resulted in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) being spread widely among the throng who sold
blood.”
––“RMRB Says Illegal Blood Trade Contributed to Rural HIV Epidemic,”
Renmin Ribao, 9 August 2001, pg. 6 in FBIS CPP20010810000054.
11 August 2001
The
South China Morning Post reported that the Chinese government will spend 950 million yuan (116 million)
to create 250 new blood collection and screening centers and will earmark 100 million yuan (12 million USD)
per year “towards improved education and treatment.” The plan hopes to reduce China's annual HIV infection
rate from 30 to 10 percent. However, public outreach plans intend to target “only 45 percent of the rural
villagers, compared to 75 percent of urban residents.” Furthermore, it “does not focus on enhancing
condom distribution or giving addicts clean needles.” The Chinese government estimates 71 percent of HIV
infections are contracted though the sharing of dirty needles. Gao Yaojie (LINK) recently conducted a
vulnerability survey and found that less than 15 percent out of 10,000 people surveyed “know how the disease
was spread or how to protect themselves.” Officially, China has 23,905 people infected with HIV and 956 have
full-blown AIDS. The Heath Minister now estimates that there are 600,000 people infected with
HIV/AIDS.
––Leigh, Jenkins, “Chinese Health Experts Blame ‘Little, Late’
Government Efforts to Fight AIDS,” South
China Morning Post, 11 August 2001. 11 August 2001
Of the 18 people arrested during an illegal blood donation raid in Lingqiu
County, Shanxi Province (North Central China); all 18 were positive for Hepatitis B, 16 were positive for
Hepatitis C, 7 for syphilis and 11 for HIV. Of the 64 plasma bags confiscated and tested, all were
contaminated with Hepatitis B and HIV.
SOURCE 23 August 2001
The Agence France Presse (AFP) reported that “China admitted for the first
time that tens of thousands of its citizens have been infected with the AIDS virus.” Deputy Health Minister
Yin Dakui stated, “A large number of blood sellers have been infected with HIV due to illegal blood plasma.”
The “illegal” blood collection stations usually collected and pooled blood from poor farmers, separated the
plasma, and then returns the contaminated blood back to the donators. Yin said, that "so far the
problem of HIV infection caused by blood donations had only affected several provinces in central China.”
––“PRC Health Ministry Official: China to Act Sternly against Illegal
Blood Deals,” Xinhua, 23 August 2001 in FBIS CPP20010823000092; “AFP: China Admits Tens of Thousands
Infected with AIDS from Selling Blood,” Agency France Presse, 23 August 2001 in FBIS CPP20010823000067. 10 December 2001
Jiang Chunyun, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Ninth
National People’s Congress, called for the Chinese government “to severely punish blood-buying companies
responsible for many HIV infections.” He went on to say, “Owners of such companies must be brought to court
and punished severely.”
––Qin Chuan, “Jiang Chunyun Urges Punishment for Illegal
Blood-Buying Companies,” China Daily, 10 December 2001 in FBIS CPP20011210000024. 11 December 2001
In late November 2001, there were four
separate instances of peasants infected with the
HIV/AIDS being detained by local Henan
authorities after protesting for improved access
to health care.
Officials from Chenghuan township held three
Chinese journalist from Beijing and 11
infected peasants. Up to 50 villagers gathered
outside demanding their release.
In Suixian
county, a number of HIV positive villagers
traveled to Beijing to present their case.
Once arriving in Beijing there were brought to
a hospital for testing, and released after the
AIDS conference was over.
In Wenlou,
the only village that has been acknowledged by
name to have an AIDS problem, eight villagers
staged a two day sit-in. They were demanding
better medical care. After the sit-in, they
were detained and official charged in Shangcai
county with "disturbing order of a government
office." Three men served 15 day sentences.
In
Dongguan South several attempts by Chinese
journalist to interview AIDS villagers were
thwarted by local authorities. This led to
demonstrations by the villagers. The
majority of adults sold blood to blood
collectors affiliated with the local hospital
and the local disease prevention station from
1994 to 1997. In 1997, the authorities
stopped all blood collections. Today, in
a village of 600 adults, 200 are showing signs
of AIDS, and 14 have died since spring.
Local officials in Henan stated as of early
December 2001 there are only 1,495 HIV/AIDS
cases in Henan province. "At present the AIDS
disease situation in our province remains very
low," a provincial health official stated.
––Elisabeth
Rosenthal, "Spread of AIDS in Rural China
Ignites Protest," New York Times, 11
December 2001; available in
http://www.nytimes.com. 13 December 2001
In order to reduce the dependency on commercial blood donors, the Chinese
Health Ministry and Red Cross Society of China have organized to increase voluntary blood donations.
Commercial blood donation “not only go against humanitarian principles, but also force hospitals to depend
on commercial blood deals, which potential endanger the safety of blood,” said Peng Peiyun, Vice Chairman of
the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and President of the Red Cross Society of China
––“PRC Urges More Blood Donations to Reduce HIV/AIDS Risk,” Xinhua, 13
December 2001 in FBIS CPP20011213000113.
2002
4 January 2002
The Henan
Health Department reports that 80 percent of the residents of Houyang village are HIV positive. Of the
village’s 4,000 residents between the ages of 16 and 55, 90 percent have participated in illegal blood
donations. More than 400 villagers have developed full-blown AIDS, and 150 have died of HIV/AIDS between
November 2000 and November last year. The Henan Health Department further shows that “40 out of every
10,000 residents are testing HIV positive.” Therefore, it is estimated 370,000 people in Henan Province
(pop. 92.65 million) are carrying HIV. Before this report, there had only been 1,495 cases of AIDS
officially recorded in Henan.
––“Workers Daily Says 80 Percent of Henan Village Ravaged
by HIV,” South China Morning Post, 04 January 2002 in FBIS CPP20020105000021. 1 February 2002
A video featuring more than 20 HIV positive villagers from Henan Province
was delivered to the United Nations, the Chinese Health Ministry, and the media. While most media reports
place the blame of Henan’s HIV epidemic on illegal blood collection, the tape reveals the villagers
possessing official blood donation passbooks provided by the Health Department.
––“HIV
Scandal Villagers Produce Video Plea to Health Ministry, UN,”
South China Morning Post, 01 February 2002 in FBIS CPP20020201000062.
26 March 2002
Eight
HIV positive villagers from Wenlou, Henan gathered outside government offices in Shangcai County demanding
medicine. One of the Wenlou villagers stated, “We need effective medicine. The medicine they give us is
useless. We don’t plan to go home soon. Going home means dying.” This is the largest AIDS-related protest to
date.
––“AIDS Patients Protest Outside Henan Government Office Demanding
Medicine," Agence France Presse, 26 March 2002 in FBIS CPP20020326000132.
3 July 2002
The AIDS Action Project, Aizhi Xingdong, was
ordered to shut its office and leave from its host institution, a private university. Wan Yanhai,
director of the NGO said the project was probably shut down because of its criticisms of the central
government's slow response to the AIDS crisis in China. Also, Wan said, "I think the reason is because they
are uncomfortable with the UN report (28 June 2002)." Wan founded the group nine years ago after being
let go by the Health Ministry. A Health Ministry spokesperson said he was unaware of the AIDS Action
Project, but "the law requires all organization to be registered." To register a NGO in China required a
100,000 yuan (12,000 USD) registration fee.
––Cindy Sui, "Chinese NGO That Probed Village AIDS Deaths Evicted," Agence France Presse, 3 July 2002 in
FBIS CPP20020703000064. 25 August
2002
The New York Times reported on the probable explosion of AIDS orphans in China's Henan
Province. In the Donghu village, Xincai county, there are nearly 20 orphans; until this year there were
none. The number is expected to rise because an estimated 200 of the village's 600 families have one parent
dead and the other too sick and weak to work. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) estimated there
are 270,000 people living below the poverty line in Xincai county, up from 40,000. The AIDS crisis in
Henan is so devastating because the majority of the adult population, both male and female, in the villages
were infected around the same time period. Also, the problem is exacerbated because of China's family
planning policy, there is usually no older sibling to act as a surrogate parent. Many of the healthy
children have dropped out of school to take care of ill parents, or have been forced to leave because one of
their parents has AIDS.
––Elisabeth Rosenthal,
"AIDS Scourge in Rural China Leaves Villages of Orphans," New York Times, 25 August 2002 in New York
Times Online, 25 August 2002; http://www.nytimes.com.
30 August 2002
Wan Yanhai the founder of AIDS Action Project disappeared and was last
seen on 24 August 2002 at film festival at a Beijing gay bar named On/Off. Wan was expected to fly to
Montreal on 13 September 2002 to receive an award for his work on AIDS in China from the Canadian HIV/AIDS
Legal Network. "The Shanghai-trained doctor has not made political statements. Instead, he has highlighted
areas where officials are showing their ignorance of HIV/AIDS."
––Robert J. Saiget, "Rights Groups Worried at Disappearance of China
AIDS Activist Wan Yanhai," Agence France Presse, 30 August 2002 in FBIS CPP20020830000023; "Editorial:
Ignoring Realities," South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), 7 September 2002 in FBIS
CPP20020907000019. 5 September 2002
Chinese AIDS activist, Wan Yanhai, has been detained for "suspicion of leaking state secrets."
––"Press Rights Groups Says China AIDS Activist
Wan Yanhai in Detention," Agence France Presse, 5 September 2002 in FBIS CPP20020905000183. 21 September 2002
Chinese AIDS activist, Wan
Yanhai, was released by Chinese authorities. Upon his release, Xinhua reported Wan as "admonished" and
released after "confessing to his crimes and agreeing to cooperate with police in the investigation."
The report continued, "Wan had delivered some illegally-acquired interior classified documents of relevant
state departments to overseas individuals, media sources and websites on 17 August 2002." After his
release Wan said, "We will continue to fight. All I can hope for is that the government will have a better
understanding of our cause."
––"Wan Yanhai
Released after Confessing to Leaking State Secrets," Xinhua, 20 September 2002 in FBIS CPP200209200000089;
Robert Saiget, "Freed Chinese AIDS Activist Not Sure if 'Ordeal in Over,'" Agence France Presse, 21
September 2002 in FBIS CPP20020921000004.
23 September 2002
Wan
Yanhai reported that he is in the process of trying to register his Beijing AIDS Action Health Education
Institute as a non-governmental organization with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Beijing's
Dongcheng District. Wan said an "administrative oversight" is delaying the application. "It's a
small technical problem. They told us we had to find another administrator. Once the dossier is complete,
either today or tomorrow, we have to wait for two weeks for authorization," said Wan.
––"Freed China AIDS Activist Seeks to Register Education
Group as NGO," Agence France Presse, 23 September 2002 in FBIS CPP20020923000061. 18 October 2002
Chinese AIDS activist Wan
Yanhai was able to register Beijing AIDS Action Health Education Institute as a legal non-governmental
organization last week.
––Cindy Sui, "Freed
Chinese AIDS Campaigner Succeeds In Registering Action Group in PRC," Agence France Presse, 18 October 2002
in FBIS CPP20021018000009. 28
October 2002
The Ministry of Health (MOH) sent a AIDS taskforce to Henan province to supervise AIDS
control programs and distribute medication. The
South China Morning Post reported, "The team, which
arrived last month, will remain in the province to monitor the situation until improvements have been made."
––Fong Tak-ho, "Taskforce Supervises AIDS Relief
Efforts," South China Morning Post, 28 October 2002 in FBIS CPP20021028000091. 26 November 2002
According to the Wuhan
Post, China's central Hubei province is expecting an "explosion" of HIV cases within the next two years.
Similar to farmers of Henan's "AIDS Villages," many of Hubei's farmers also sold blood to blood collectors
during the early 1990s. Provincial leaders now say that Hubei has entered the "peak period" of HIV carriers
getting full-blown AIDS. To date, Hubei has reported 674 HIV cases with 167 of them developing full-blown
AIDS, and 74 have died. (Hubei is located on Henan's southern border.)
––"China's Hubei Province Expects Explosion of AIDS Cases from Blood
Sales," Agence France Presse, 26 November 2002 in FBIS CPP20021126000102. 26 December 2002
Zhang
Wenkang announced that the State Council has approved an additional 22 million yuan (about 2.7 million USD)
per year in the 2002-04 period for medical treatment of AIDS patients in the "seriously-stricken areas."
He said that AIDS victims will soon have access to Chinese made AIDS drugs beginning next year. Zhang
acknowledged that 23 Chinese provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions were affected by illegal blood
plasma collection in the 1990s. "In some villages, 10 to 20 percent and even as high as 60 percent of
plasma sellers have been infected by the AIDS virus because of unhygienic practices during collections,"
Xinhua reported. According to Zhang, China invested 2.25 billion yuan (272 million USD) last year
to establish or upgrade 459 blood banks and collection centers in southern and western China. He said
China's rural healthcare system is in need of reform. "The gap between the urban and rural residents
in terms of healthcare in widening," said Zhang
––"China Reports Increased Help to 'AIDS-Stricken' Areas," Xinhua, 26
December 2003 in FBIS CPP20021226000127.
2003
13 January 2003
It is reported that last month, Chinese Health Minister
Zhang Wenkang acknowledged that the spread of HIV through illegal blood collected in the 1990s affected 23
Chinese provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.
––"China's Full-Blown AIDS to Double to 200,000 in Five Years: Report,"
Agence France Presse, 13 January 2003; in Lexis-Nexus Academic Universe, 13 January 2003,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
19 January 2003
A group of 43 hemophiliacs from Shanghai accused the
state-owned Shanghai Biological Products Institute of infecting them with HIV by breaking the 1988
regulation entitled "Regulations on the Monitoring and Management of AIDS." The law states,"...enterprises,
civil institutes and non-governmental organizations should co-operate with the sanitary administrative
organs to take measure to stop the spread of AIDS." It also says, "All blood and blood products should be
screened for AIDS." A spokesman from the company claims it produced the factor drugs for hemophiliacs with
the approval of the Shanghai city government. Furthermore, it said the 1988 regulation was aimed at disease
prevention centers, not at enterprises like the Shanghai Biological Products Institute. Wang Panshi,
Director of the Division of Health Inspection at the Shanghai Municipal Health Bureau said, "There is no
direct relation between the fact that hemophilia patients were contaminated with AIDS and the fact that the
patients have ever used a medicine product by the company. If I went out and got a cold, who will shoulder
the responsibility for my cold? For the government, it is more important to solve the current problems." The
Shanghai City government has offered to provide HIV-infected hemophiliacs an antiretroviral medication free
of cost.
––Benjamin Morgan, "Shanghai HIV/AIDS
Victims Accuse PRC Government of Negligence," Agence France Presse, 19 January 2003 in FBIS
CPP20030119000015. 23 January 2003
Officials from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and
Prevention estimated the number of AIDS sufferers, currently estimated to be at 100,000, will double in the
next five years. Qi Xiaqiu, a Health Ministry official in charge of disease control said, "The number of
AIDS patients and deaths from AIDS is now rising rapidly." Official statistics estimate China having one
million people infected with HIV, and the World Health Organization puts the number closer to 1.5 million.
Xinhua reported that up to 80 percent of AIDS sufferers will not receive treatment because of limited health
resources in the rural areas. Qi announced the government
"was exploring channels to improve patient care" in the rural areas. Such channels include "allocating
special subsidies form the central budget, training medical staff and seeking international support." Last
month the central government allocated 44 million yuan (5.4 million USD) over two years to treat AIDS
patients in seriously affected areas of China. Also, the "Health Ministry has established 100 county level
treatment areas in pilot project at offering comprehensive treatment to patients."
––"China's Full-Blown AIDS to Double to 200,000 in Five Years: Report,"
Agence France Presse, 13 January 2003; in Lexis-Nexus Academic Universe, 13 January 2003,
http://www.lexisnexis.com; "PRC
Health Official Says AIDS-Related Infections, Deaths 'Rising Rapidly,'" Xinhua, 13 January 2003 in FBIS
CPP20030113000133. 13 May 2003
The World Health Organization (WHO) sent a team to Henan
province, one of China's most populated provinces, and home to an estimated one million people infected with
the AIDS virus. "Some 800,000 migrant workers, who returned to their hometowns in Henan during the May Day
Holiday and while the epidemic was raging in Beijing and Guangdong, are the chief concern." Ray Yip, head of
AIDS prevention for the United Nation's Children's Fund China office said, "If SARS hits HIV areas, that
will decimate all the people who are HIV positive right away. Any (illness) can be exaggerated in these
people. It will kill them." Mangai Balasegaram, Spokesperson for the WHO said, "It's quite likely that SARS
would be more severe in people that are HIV positive, but at this moment there is no real evidence of this."
––"WHO Begins SARS Inquiry in HIV-Hit Chinese
Province," Agence France Presse, 14 May 2003 in FBIS CPP20030514000062.
18 May 2003
The South China
Morning Post reported that as many as 100 HIV positive villagers in Henan's Wenlou village were denied
seeing the visiting World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health (MOH) delegation. Most were held
back 100 meters from the hospital where they were meeting, and one was reported beaten by police and held
until the delegation left the village. Wenlou is one of 22 AIDS villages in Henan province. Officials put
the number of HIV/AIDS victims in Wenlou at 306 people, some estimate twice as many are infected. One
of the patients denied to visit the WHO delegation was a 37 year-old mother of two who sold blood in 1997
because "the local government was advertising it everywhere at the time, saying it was a good way to earn
money," she said. She gave 800cc on three occasions, and was re-injected with 400cc of pooled blood. She was
paid 45 yuan (about 5.00 USD) each time. "So I made 135 yuan (about 16.50 USD) in total, but I got AIDS."
––"SCMP Cites AIDS Patients Denied Access to
Visiting WHO Team, Beaten by Police," South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), 3 June 2003 in FBIS
CPP20030603000053. 22 June 2003
The Agence
France Presse (AFP) reported that between 500 to 600 uniformed and plain clothes police "storm" the
village of Xiongqiao in Shangcai county, Wulong township, Henan province. Xiongqiao is a Henan "AIDS
Village" where 700 of the 3,000 residents were infected with HIV after selling their blood during the 1980s
and 90s. About 400 of the village residents have developed full-blown AIDS. Police reported that 13 farmers
and three others were arrested because of robbing and attacking township government and police offices and
the county's Community Party office. A county police official said, "They beat up the Wulong township's
police station director and deputy township director and the local family planning director." The arrests
were broadcast on county television. One HIV positive farmer said, "They're using these farmers to send a
message to other AIDS sufferers to not cause any trouble otherwise the same can happen to them."
––"Hundreds of Police Storm 'AIDS Village' in China,
Arrest 13 Farmers," Agence France Presse, 3 July 2003 in FBIS CPP20030703000102.
11 July 2003
Wan Yanhai, the Director of the Beijing-based Aizhi
Institute sent a letter to Chinese Health Minister Wu Yi to show
the same transparency with AIDS as the government showed with the SARS crisis. More specifically, the letter
urged the Ministry of Health to release the statistics detailing the number of victims that acquire AIDS
through blood transfusions. The letter said, "What are the names of the provinces, the cities and
districts?" Also, "How many people were contaminated in each area? What is the extent of the contamination
among the donors and the received of blood in each place?" In December 2002, then Health Minister
Zhang Wenkang revealed 23 of China's 31 provinces, municipalities
and autonomous regions had been affected though unsanitary blood collection.
––"AIDS Group Sends Letter to Wu Yi Urging Release of Statistics,"
Agence France Presse, 11 July 2003.
14 July 2003
Hundreds of HIV patients who contracted AIDS though unsanitary
blood collection have begun to drop out of the program that supplies them with free antiretroviral
medication supplied by the Chinese government. Three months ago, Beijing began a program to produce and
supply domestically made versions of AIDS drugs, including AZT, DDI, D4T and MVT, along with imported
medication - Stocrin and Combivir. So far the program distributed the medication to an estimated 200
people in Anhui province, 420 in Hubei, and 61 in Sichuan. In Henan's Shangcai county, 2,550 people are
receiving medication, 200 in Xincai county and 120 in Queshan county.
However, in Shangcai county, 327 out of the 2,550 people have dropped
out of the program because of the side effects, Zhang Fujie, Head of China's Center for Disease Control
said. An un-named US-based aid worker said that the medication being distributed is the older
antiretroviral drugs, which are "not as effective and...have side effects...so serious that a lot of people
are dropping out." Some side effects include vomiting and diarrhea. Another reason is the lack
of suitable doctors to administer the medication. "We have enough drugs but we don't have enough doctors who
can administer the drugs. Even in the biggest cities in China, there are only a few hospitals with doctors
who can administer the drugs," said Zhang. He estimated China currently has around 100 qualified doctors.
China has applied for a Global Fund grant to help train more qualified medical personal.
––"China Starts Offering Free AIDS Drugs but Lacks
Doctors to Administer them," Agence France Presse, 16 July 2003; in
http://news.yahoo.com (7/16/2003). 28 July 2003
Several of the villagers taken into custody during a police raid on 22 June 2003 have been formally
arrested, while others have been released, said an official from the Shangcai detention center. "There are
still seven to eight people in jail," reported a man from Xiongqiao village. China's State Council stated
the raid took place after local farmers damaged government offices on June 11 and 12. "They said the
farmers were protesting because police had detained a man and a women who were trying to cheat authorities
to get government subsidies for HIV/AIDS sufferers," wrote Agence France Presse (AFP). However, the
farmers claim they were only trying to get local authorities to build a much-needed clinic in their village.
––"Several Villagers Detained in China AIDS
Raid Formally Arrested," Agence France Press, 28 July 2003.
30 July 2003
Gao Yao Jie,
a retired gynecologist from China is one of seven recipients of this year's Roman Magsaysay Award which
is regarded as the Asian equivalent of the Noble Peace Prize. The award is given out yearly to honor
individuals and groups for contributions in their respective fields. Gao is noted for her work among Henan
province's AIDS villages. The official ceremony will be held on 31 August 2003 in Manila, Philippians.
––"2 Japanese Among 7 Magsaysay Awards
Recipients," Kyodo World Service (Tokyo), 30 July 2003. 19 August
2003
Henan province health officials reported Ma Shiwen, Deputy Director of the Henan Center for
Disease Control (CDC) was taken into custody on suspicion of leaking state secrets. "It is possible that the
secrets leaked concerned official documents that were anonymously sent to Aizhi Action Group on August 24
last year and which revealed the extent of the AIDS outbreak in Henan," said Wan Yanhai. "As far as I know,
Ma Shiwen has not been formally sacked, he is still deputy director of the section, he has just
disappeared," a unnamed CDC colleague told Agence France Presse (AFP).
––"PRC Health Official Arrested for Leaking AIDS Secrets," Agence France
Presse, 19 August 2003; in Yahoo News, 20 August 2003,
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/ 31 August 2003
Dr.
Gao Yao Jie, one of the seven recipients of the 2003 Ramon Magsaysay
Award, was unable to personally accept the award because she was denied a Chinese passport to travel abroad.
In 2001 she was also unable to travel to the United States and personally receive the Jonathan Mann Award
for Global Health and Human Rights for the same reason. There has been no official response from
Chinese health authorities on her being awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for public service. Gao will
receive 50,000 USD from the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation.
––Antoaneta Bezlova, "China: Beijing Silent on Award for AIDS Activist,"
Inter Press Service (New Delhi), 28 August 2003, Ma. Ceres P. Doyo, "Magsaysay Awardee Absent But Not
Silent," Philippine Daily Inquirer (Manila), 1 September 2003.
31 August 2003
Dr. Gao Yao Jie, from Hunan province, is
being sued for slander by Li Demin from neighboring Hubei province. Li alleged Gao harmed his reputation by
writing in her newsletter that "there were unscrupulous people trying to cash in on the outbreak (of AIDS)
by selling patients useless medicine," reported Agence France Presse (AFP). Gao denies the charge. She said,
"I don't think the court should take up the case. I didn't reveal any names in my article and besides, he's
not a doctor and has no medical background. He shouldn't be making medicine and claiming it can treat AIDS."
Gao published the newsletter in April 2002, and Li filed the case in Zhengzhou city in March of this year.
The court date is set for September 16th.
––"Prominent Chinese AIDS Campaigner Faces Defamation Lawsuit," Agence France Presse, 31 August 2003; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 31 August 2003, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
6 October 2003
Ma Shiwen, Deputy Director of the Henan
Center for Disease Control, who was arrested in August 2003 for revealing "state secrets" was reportedly
sentenced to a 10 year prison term. "The newspapers haven't reported it, but it's true. I heard it from
several Henan health department officials," Gao Yaojie said. Wan Yanhai, Director of Aizhi Action Group also
confirmed the sentencing of Ma. However, Ma Shiwen's wife denied her husband was sentenced. "He hasn't been
sentenced. It's under investigation. They have no evidence he did it," she said. "He was very dedicated to
his work dealing with the AIDS situation. He put in very long hours. He did whatever the government wanted
him to do. He definitely would not leak a document."
––"Chinese Health Official Sentenced to Prison for Leaking AIDS
'Secrets.'" Agence France Presse, 6 October 2003; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 October 2003,
http://www.lexisnexis.com; "Wife
of Jailed AIDS Official Denies Jail Sentence," Agence France Presse, 6 October 2003; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 6 October 2003, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 20 October 2003
Ma Shiwen, Deputy Director for Disease
Control at the Henan Provincial Health
Department was released from custody. He was
originally arrested in August 2003 for all |
