Province stepping up HIV awareness

Intensive efforts by the Yunnan provincial government and international assistance have reined in the rapid rise of HIV/AIDS infection in the region that borders the infamous "golden triangle".

The province tested 3.09 million people between 2005-07 and found more than 30,000 people who were HIV positive. Yunnan has 216 labs of various kinds to monitor the disease in all of its counties and cities.

A total of 146 hospitals have been designated for free antiretroviral treatment (ART), with more than 8,000 people treated to date. Sixteen orphanages support 1,491 children orphaned by the disease along with schooling for 1,100 of them.