The “HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Regulations” announced by Xinhua Net on Feb. 12 defined at and above county level government’s responsibility to promote HIV/AIDS prevention. This regulation holds government agencies accountable if HIV/AIDS awareness promotion is not adequate.

The regulation requires that local governments and relevant departments should place visible promotional messages at train stations, harbors, airports, parks etc. and other public transportation locations, and to establish regular HIV/AIDS prevention advertisements or public announcements, and to organize public distribution of HIV/AIDS promotional materials.

The regulation also defines that at and above the county level government, any department which fails to follow awareness education and prevention standards, will be required to amend and rectify its practices. Department heads whose oversight leads to HIV/AIDS spread or other severe consequences, will be subject to administrative penalty; those resulting in criminal offenses will face criminal prosecution.

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