President Hu visits HIV/AIDS center

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-01-2007 08:43

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday shakes hands with a female HIV carrier when visiting a local center for disease control and prevention in Chaoyang District of Beijing. (Xinhua Photo)

President Hu Jintao has inspected HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment facilities in Beijing. He has met with patients, staff and volunteers in the HIV/AIDS prevention campaign. Hu Jintao's visit came just ahead of the 20th World AIDS Day. Pan Deng has the story.

In this visit to a Disease Control Center and a local community in Beijing's Chaoyang District, he wanted to find out more about how policy is being implemented and how AIDS patients are being treated and cared for.

The exhibition in the Disease Control Center illustrates the current situation and achievements of HIV/AIDS control in Beijing. Hu Jintao asked about the disease monitoring network and methods of preventing and treating the virus.

After inspecting the blood sampling room, President Hu met a woman living with HIV at the Voluntary Test Room.

Hu Jintao also talked to the families of patients and asked about their livelihoods.

Hu Jintao says life is not easy for families of people with AIDS. He said the government will do its best to help. He hoped they could be brave in the face of their difficulties, and said he believed with help from society, these families can be happy.

Before leaving the center, President Hu talked to medical workers there.

President Hu said, "HIV/AIDS prevention is an issue that affects the health of the people, the quality of the nation and the future of our country. This is still a challenging task for China, and it needs effort from every member of society. Medical staff are the backbone of our campaign. I hope you will maintain a humanitarian spirit, put people first and look for ways to prevent AIDS. We need to do a good job of spreading information and counseling and thoroughly implement policies to make more contributions to the health of the people and social harmony."