China, WHO to provide AIDS intervention for homosexuals
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-06-20 08:34

China and the World Health Organization (WHO) will run a joint project to help homosexuals protect themselves against AIDS in the central province of Hunan beginning this year, state media said.

A man creates an AIDS awareness ribbon. China and the World Health Organization (WHO) will run a joint project to help homosexuals protect themselves against AIDS in the central province of Hunan beginning this year. [AFP]

Beijing-based WHO expert Zhao Pengfei, quoted by Xinhua news agency, said the program would involve spending four million dollars to reach out to homosexual groups in eight areas of Hunan province by 2007.

The program is unusual since homosexuality is still considered a taboo subject in China and China's AIDS prevention programs rarely target homosexuals.

The program will also cover six other cities in Hunan by monitoring AIDS/ HIV infections among homosexuals and providing medical treatment and psychological counselling.

It includes providing male homosexuals with meeting places where condoms and advice on HIV/AIDS will be available.

"WHO will provide technical support for all the activities," said Zhao.

Trial operations will be launched in the cities of Changsha and Hengyang before the end of this year, the report said.

AIDS/HIV monitoring and intervention programs were introduced in Hunan just two years ago, but like the rest of China, few such programs are geared towards homosexuals.

During a visit to China this month, the United Nations top HIV/AIDS official urged China to provide more assistance to high-risk groups such as drug users, sex workers and homosexuals.

"The most vulnerable population are at highest risk but they are getting the least attention," said Peter Piot.

China has an estimated 840,000 people infected with HIV, including 80,000 with full-blown AIDS, according to official figures. International groups believe the real figure is much higher.

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