China Ends Travel Ban on HIV/AIDS Carriers

China announced Tuesday that it had lifted travel restrictions for foreigners with HIV and AIDS ahead of the 2010 Expo.

The State Council, or cabinet, announced that an amendment to the law on the entry of foreigners into China had removed the travel ban on HIV/AIDS carriers to the nation effective Tuesday.

Quiz on HIV / AIDS
Statistics tell us that the world HIV+ population has risen drastically from 8 million in 1990 to a whopping 33 million in 2007! Even more alarming is the fact that young people (below the age of 25) account for half of these infections! This is adequate proof for the lack of awareness among the general public even in these modern times. So take our quiz and brush up on the essential facts of HIV/AIDS.

There are 10 questions on HIV / AIDS in this quiz that will explore the depth of your knowledge and provide answers to the following:

Immune control of HIV ()
Symptoms of HIV/AIDS ()
Cure for AIDS ()
Acute HIV syndrome ()
World AIDS day ()
Western blot ()

The newly amended law was published in full on the government website.

State press reports said the move would be made ahead of the opening Saturday of the Shanghai World Expo which is expecting up to 100 million visitors during its six-month run.

HIV/AIDS Risk Calculator
The HIV risk quiz helps you determine risk factors for HIV.

Although most of the visitors are expected to be Chinese, up to four million foreigners could attend the Expo.

The new law was immediately praised by the United Nations.

Female Condom
Animation on how to use Female condom and its advantages.

"I commend President Hu Jintao for China?s decision to remove travel restrictions based on HIV status," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement.

"Punitive policies and practices only hamper the global AIDS response. I urge all other countries with such restrictions to remove them as a matter of priority and urgency."

How to use a condom
This Interactive provides step by step visual aid showing how to correctly use condoms which can prevent transmission of HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy

World Health Organisation Director General Margaret Chan welcomed the removal of entry restrictions on foreigners.

"China?s decision to categorically remove HIV/AIDS from the list of conditions subject to entry restrictions is a significant step in the right direction," Chan said in a statement.

"This decision should inspire other nations to change laws and policies that continue to discriminate against people living with HIV."

More than 50 countries still have laws or restrictions that effectively marginalise people with HIV, including sex workers, young people, and men who have sex with men, according to the WHO.

Such hurdles limit their access to vital prevention, treatment, care and support services, Chan noted.

"Policies that help curb discrimination can help prevent further transmission," she added.

According to official statistics, China has 740,000 HIV-positive people.

Source-AFP
SRM