Authorities must balance privacy and public health protection

FIFTEEN STUDENTS FROM A CHARITY SCHOOL in Linfen, North China's Shanxi province, will enter college this fall. The students all have HIV but that will not be revealed to the other students at the college. Beijing Youth Daily comments:

Undoubtedly, the students have the same right to receive education as other youths. Not disclosing they have HIV is a reasonable choice to avoid any discrimination against them.

It is also, as the headmaster said, in line with the spirit of the Rules on AIDS Prevention and Control, which stipulates that without the consent of those with HIV/AIDS or their guardian, no one is allowed to disclose any personal information that can be used to reveal their identities.