Dealing with the HIV problem
16/07/2009 11:43 am
Sadly, HIV/AIDS has struck China. There are three primary causes. Prostitution, intravenous drug use, blood donation.
For many years, China has been very coy about the widespread nature of the virus. Nowadays, there is a great deal of openness. While statistics in a country the size of China are always hard to glean, the number of people estimated to have contracted the virus is between 430,000 and 1.5 million. In the first nine months of 2008 nearly 7000 people died from the disorder, according to an official report. This made it the leading cause of death compared with other infectious diseases.
This map shows the spread of HIV/AIDS throughout China. The darker the colour, the higher the incidence. This also reflects the entry of HIV into China. It began in Yunnan in the far South West and then spread along drug trafficking routes.
China welcomes experts from overseas to bring medical and social expertise in order to quell the spread of the disease, and also to train locals in prevention measures.
OMF is running a few projects throughout China to support the Chinese Government in their efforts to thwart the spread of HIV/AIDS. In one such instance, we are working with a group of local young people. They travel to various rural villages performing skits, entering classrooms and giving information on how to stop yourself contracting HIV.
In another province, alongside local health workers, we run holistic projects seeking to assist drug users quit their habits, and also taking preventative information into nearby villages.
There are always openings for medical personnel, especially with experience dealing with patients suffering from HIV/AIDS. We are looking for nurses and doctors, or community health workers. Although it is sensitive, China will welcome you if you can help them.
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