AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION JOINS CHINA FOUNDATION IN GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP.

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

HIV Testing, Treatment and Training Efforts Will Target Yuncheng City Residents in Province Where Blood Selling of Villagers Led to Widespread HIV Infections

Partners Will Host Receptions in Washington, DC, Nov. 30th and Shanxi Province, China, on December 1st

The China Foundation and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), two respected international non-profit organizations, have set up a pilot project for HIV testing, AIDS treatment and training of healthcare professionals in Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, China, where blood selling of villagers and farmers led to widespread HIV infections and increased number of AIDS cases. The two organizations partnering in this new testing, treatment and training venture will host receptions in Washington, DC, on Tuesday November 30 (United States Capitol Building, Room 120 from 12noon-2:30pm) and in Shanxi Province, China, on Wednesday, December 1st -- World AIDS Day.

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Earlier this fall, officials from both AHF and the China Foundation visited Beijing and Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, and talked to the Chinese government officials and AIDS patients. At the present time, the HIV/AIDS epidemic in China is concentrated in high-risk groups including blood sellers (who have become infected via dirty and/or re-used needles), drug users and sex workers. The China Cares National Plan is providing AIDS drugs to counties with severe HIV/AIDS epidemic and the AIDS patients in China expressed hope.