Despite a free HIV treatment program for citizens living with HIV, many of China’s positive children—especially those in rural areas—are finding it difficult to obtain the government-supplied antiretrovirals, Reuters reports.

According to the article, Chinese children cannot afford fees associated with treatment and many of them are being turned away from schools and hospitals out of fear that they will spread the virus. As many as 10,000 children in China are believed to be living with HIV as a result of contaminated blood transfusions or mother-to-child transmission.

Asia Catalyst, a New York–based nonprofit that supports economic and social rights in Asia, is urging China’s government to provide cheaper, second-line HIV treatment and extend coverage for additional medical costs.