According to a CCTV report, the Ministry of Health and Finance Ministry today issued the document “Method for Managing Free and Reduced-cost Treatment of AIDS and Common Opportunistic Infections” to regulate the areas covered by free and discounted treatment for people with AIDS.

The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance have determined that all rural residents with HIV/AIDS and those urban residents in financial difficulties with HIV/AIDS who are not covered by the basic medical insurance scheme will be provided with free anti-retroviral treatment. In areas where the epidemic is more serious, those in financial difficulties will be treated for common opportunistic infections for free or at discount prices. Pregnant women with HIV will be given free treatment to prevent transmission to their babies, and the babies will be given free HIV testing.

Those wishing to receive free or discounted treatment must produce their ID cards. Those in rural areas with HIV must also produce a certificate from their local village committee, township government or disease control department. Those residing in urban areas must produce a certificate of financial hardship from the local residents’ committee, and sign a statement that they are not participating in the basic health insurance or social insurance schemes.