Persistent Challenges and Promising Ways Forward
CSIS HIV/AID Task Force’s new report examines persistent challenges and gaps in the prevention and control of the epidemic in China. The report notes that a more comprehensive, coordinated, and concerted national and international response to China’s HIV/AIDS challenge is still at a relatively early stage. The report also assesses many “best practices” and innovative strategies that have emerged as China’s response to the epidemic expands and evolves, including methadone replacement therapy, expanding voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and peer education, condom promotion, comprehensive drug-dependence and rehabilitation services, and access to antiretroviral therapy. Given the HIV/AIDS situation in China, the persistent challenges, and the emergent best practices, the report concludes with four key sets of recommendations: Give primary focus to key marginalized and at-risk populations; work toward a more comprehensive, “full-spectrum”, patient-management approach; intensify engagement with domestic and international nongovernmental players; deepen coordination across government agencies and key actors.