China Lowers HIV/AIDS Figures. What about India?

January 26, 2006

Hi folks,

Would be curious to know the extent of over-reporting or under-reporting about

HIV/AIDS in India. Your thoughts would be much appreciated..

regards,

santosh.

e-MAIL: <mopsig@...>

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China lowers its HIV/Aids figures

China has lowered its estimate of the number of HIV/Aids cases in the country,

but health agencies continue to warn of a serious national problem. China now

believes it has about 650,000 people living with HIV, according to a joint

statement by the health ministry, World Health Organization and UNAids.

In 2003 the government estimated that 840,000 people had the virus.

But with 70,000 new HIV infections last year, the crisis shows no signs of

abating, the statement said.

On the rise

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, representatives from all three bodies said

the number of HIV/Aids cases in China had been revised to 30% lower than the

2003 estimate.

But delegates cautioned against too much optimism - saying the lower figure was

due to an overestimate in 2003 rather than a noticeable improvement in the

situation.

" There is no room for complacency. The latest national estimates indicate that

HIV/Aids remains on the rise in China, " the joint statement said.

The lower figure " may lead some to believe [the situation] has improved, " added

the WHO's chief representative in China, Hank Bekedam.

" That is not so. With an estimated 70,000 new infections last year, we fear the

number of infections this year will be even higher. "

HIV/Aids is still a sensitive topic in China, and international groups have

previously criticised the government in Beijing for not reacting to the problem

fast enough.

UNAids has estimated that up to 10 million people could be infected by 2010 if

aggressive prevention methods are not put in place.

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