Nanjing - On 20 August, the 11th plenum of the 10th Jiangsu People’s Congress unanimously passed the “Jiangsu Province AIDS Prevention Legislation”. This is the first local level legislation specifically aimed at AIDS prevention to be introduced in the country.

This legislation has a total of seven sections and 43 articles covering general principles, prevention, control, management, powers and responsibilities, legal responsibilities and appendices. According to the vice-chairman of the Jiangsu People’s Congress Legal Committee Liu Kexi, the legislation emphasizes the education and promotion of AIDS prevention, behavioural intervention and the implementation of a comprehensive social administrative direction. Especially with regard to measures concerning preventative intervention, the legislation draws upon seasoned methods used internationally in AIDS prevention. This can be seen in two aspects: a forceful drive to promote condom use and the gradual promotion of sales in the medical syringe market and maintenance treatment to drug users. At the moment there are two pilot schemes for this work in Nanjing.

The legislation also requires that no work unit or individual may discriminate against AIDS sufferers and their family members; they must not violate their lawful rights to enjoy medical services or their rights to employment, education and participation in social activities. AIDS patients and people with HIV have the right to marry but they must fulfil their obligation to disclose their illness to their partner and receive medical guidance from medical health bodies. The legislation clearly states the legal responsibilities any AIDS patient or HIV carrier has to shoulder if they violate these regulations.

The legislation strengthens the government’s management duties in AIDS prevention work and requires neighbourhood and village committees to work under the guidance of relevant authorities to launch activities on AIDS prevention and care of AIDS patients and people with HIV. Where conditions exist, care venues should be established.

It’s understood that as of the end of July, there are 537 people with HIV in Jiangsu province and 100 AIDS patients.

Source:Xinhua (Editor: Liu Xiaoli)