Beijing hospital wins prize for AIDS treatment

A top hospital in Beijing was awarded one of the most famous prizes in the field of HIV treatment and research on Thursday.

Li Ning, president of Beijing YouAn Hospital, was awarded Barry and Martin's Prize for championing treatment and care services for AIDS patients and creating a discrimination-free medical care environment for them in the hospital, according to the prize awarding committee.

"The hospital has made enormous efforts for the treatment of AIDS patients," Martin Gordon, chairman of the London-based Barry and Martin's Trust, said.

"Li Ning has insisted upon unprejudiced support of AIDS patients, and patients from all across China in the hospital are treated with greatest care."

The presentation marked the 17th time that the Barry and Martin's Trust Annual Prize has been awarded in China since the trust was founded in 1996.

The prize was first awarded in 2000, to award people and institutions all over China who have done excellent work in AIDS prevention, treatment and care.

AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs in most provinces and autonomous regions across China have been supported by the trust, which has provided more than 20 million yuan ($3.06 million) in the past 20 years, benefiting thousands of Chinese people infected with HIV, according to Beijing YouAn Hospital.

At Thursday's award ceremony, Li, president of Beijing YouAn Hospital, said he would donate all the prize money, totaling 10,000 British pounds, to establish an education fund in the name of Martin Gordon and the hospital to ensure sustainable development of AIDS prevention, treatment and care.