November 14, 2007

Gates Foundation Teams With China for HIV/AIDS Prevention

On Tuesday, November 13, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced the launch of a partnership with the Chinese government to step up HIV/AIDS prevention programs, committing $50 million to fight infection among at-risk populations—such as men who have sex with men, sex workers and intravenous-drug users—working with both the central government and nongovernment organizations (seattletimes.com, 11/14).

The donation accounts for one third of China’s government spending on fighting the epidemic, of which $20 million will go to its health ministry, while $30 million will go to NGOs at the local, national and international levels.

Dr. Ray Yip, China’s former director of the U.S.  Centers for Disease Control and prevention will oversee the program in Beijing along with Gates Foundation staff.

While China has made strides in HIV/AIDS prevention, opening 350 methadone clinics for its IV-drug users—half of which are HIV positive—a third of the country’s doctors continue to refuse service to people living with HIV.