Last year's campaign in central China's Henan Province helped provide the region's AIDS patients and carriers of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with better access to free medical checks and treatment.

According to a document released by the Henan Provincial Government at the recent annual session of the Provincial People's Congress, Henan invested 330 million yuan (US$40.2 million) to survey AIDS patients and HIV carriers and provide them with necessary medical service.

More than 280,000 local commercial blood and plasma donors were screened and 25,036 tested HIV positive, among whom 11,815 had reported AIDS symptoms. All these people were registered with local governments and hospitals to receive medical checks and treatment regularly.

About 270,000 women also took HIV checks and more than 130 pregnant women tested positive. Measures have been taken to prevent their babies from being infected.

The anti-AIDS campaign also reached out to help orphans of AIDS patients by providing them with monthly living allowance in accordance to their situations and needs.

The unsanitary blood-buying industry spread the fatal disease among donors in 1990s, contributing to province having the highest rates of AIDS/HIV infection in China.

(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2005)