China CDC holds workshop on AIDS prevention and control

The Virtual Workshop on Technical Exchange of South-South Cooperation on AIDS Prevention and Control was organized by the National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention of the China CDC from Sept 26 to 27.
The workshop gathered 148 professionals and staff members of AIDS prevention and control institutions from China, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.

Han Mengjie, director of the National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention of the China CDC, said that China has taken measures to promote AIDS prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic, intensified efforts in prevention, intervention and testing, and guaranteed the continuity of anti-retroviral treatment for HIV patients. As a result, the detection rate of HIV infected patients has increased, and the coverage rate of antiretroviral treatment and the virus suppression rate have reached more than 90 percent.

Zhou Kai, acting country director of the UNAIDS China Office, said that South-South cooperation on AIDS prevention and control has built a platform for China and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region to share their experience, which is of great significance in their AIDS prevention and control work. The new global AIDS strategy determined by the UN last year has set higher prevention and control goals, which requires more effective measures and closer cooperation, she added.

The event focused on HIV testing intervention and laboratory technology. The Chinese representative introduced the latest application of technologies such as the HIV voluntary counseling and testing online service model, pre-exposure prevention, participation of social organizations, viral load testing and traditional methods in the targeted prevention and control of AIDS, as well as progress in HIV vaccine research.

Representatives from Laos and Cambodia also introduced their strategies, achievements and challenges in AIDS prevention and control.