Fight against HIV/AIDS requires participation of all sectors in the society, especially non-governmental organizations, said China's vice minister of health on Monday evening.

Speaking at a satellite meeting of the 15th International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, Wang Longde said it is impossible to fight HIV/AIDS by the government alone. Only by uniting all the forces in the society, especially NGOs, can the epidemic be brought undercontrol.

He said that the Chinese government pays great importance to the role of NGOs in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and many NGOs such as the Chinese Association for STI/AIDS Prevention and Control, Chinese Youth League, have all actively participated in the efforts.

According to Wang, at present the Chinese Youth Federation and the All China Women's Federation are conducting the "face-to-face"health education campaign in 178 counties, to ensure that everyone will receive education on AIDS prevention and control.

During the summer, volunteers of medical students will go down to the counties to disseminate AIDS prevention and control knowledge as part of the youth "Red Ribbon" education campaign, he added.

China's fight against HIV/AIDS is at a crucial stage as the epidemic may spread from high-risk groups to normal people.

The first HIV infection in China was found in 1985. Now there are about 840,000 people living with HIV, including 80,000 AIDS patients. The epidemic has spread to all the 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China's mainland. Experts have warned that over 10 million Chinese would be HIV positive in 2010, if no effective measures were taken.

The Chinese government has already taken a series of measures to control the epidemic. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said in an article publish last Friday that the government should mobilize the whole community to curb the spread of the disease through down-to-earth prevention and control work.

The prime minister promised the Chinese government would offer more help to AIDS victims and continue to protect their legitimate rights and interests, while increasing investment in programs to improve the country's capability in prevention and control.

Sourcve: Xinhua