The Australian government has provided 2.56 million yuan
(US$320,000) to help curb the spread of AIDS and treat HIV carriers
in Yining, a city in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Scheduled to be completed next May, the first phase of the
project will see three anti-drug clubs established in urban Yining.
Former drug users will be encouraged to work as volunteers to help
other drug users who have not received treatment to stop dangerous
sexual contact and drug taking. The clubs will also provide
AIDS/HIV testing, psychological consultations for drug users and
train them in daily life skills.
The second phase of the project will see 57 free needle exchange
stations set up in 14 townships and neighborhood communities of
Yining City, according to Yining city government.
Yining has reported more than 3,700 HIV carriers since the first
case in 1996. Sharing needles between drug users is blamed as the
prime cause for the spread of the HIV virus.
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has reported 11,990 HIV
carriers including 344 AIDS patients, of whom 85 have died.
Across China, there are an estimated 650,000 reported HIV
carriers, including some 75,000 AIDS patients, according to recent
official estimates. The country aims to keep the number of HIV
carriers below 1.5 million by 2010.
(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2006)