From December last year, China has reported a total of 42,567 AIDS patients who have received free anti-viral treatment.  Currently, there are 33,980 patients receiving treatment, which made up 81.3% of the total number.  This number has been released by the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC) STD/AIDS Prevention and Control Centre, today.

As reported, more than 10 thousand HIV-infected patients were enrolled to receive free anti-viral treatment in the last year alone.  Closed to 70% of the patients who are presently receiving treatment have effectively suppressed the virus in their bodies.  The mortality rate of AIDS patients has dropped from 9.6% in 2004 to approximately 5%.

According to the report, the ratio of infected patients who persisted with the treatment for 12 months, were 85.1%.  These infected persons distributed across 1,232 counties of 31 provinces, districts and cities.  The total number of children receiving treatment is 799.  Those receiving treatment now numbered at 766.  They are distributed across 150 counties of 20 provinces, districts and cities.

Since the development of anti-viral treatment, statistics have shown that the mortality rate of AIDS patients has dropped from 28.8% before treatment to 6.8% after treatment.  It was discovered, in a sample investigation conducted in 8 provinces and districts to the south of the yellow river last year, that amongst patients who are receiving treatment, 69% indicated effective viral-suppression.  Although there were different grades of medical organizations and facilities with varying credentials and ability, more than 95% of the patients who participated in the investigation were satisfied with the doctors and medical services.

As known, our country has used the mode of transfer payment to provide funds as support for the anti-viral treatment for HIV-infected patients in various places since last year.  This funding supported the patients’ tests for CT4 cells, AIDS viral load (VL AIDS) and drug-resistance.  From the second half of last year, Hubei, Anhui and Henan started the development of secondary medication for anti-viral treatment experimentation.  This is the beginning of the exploration of treatment for drug-resistant AIDS patients.

* Translated by CHAIN