United States, China to Cooperate on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Research
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese Minister of Health Zhang Wenkang to enhance cooperation between the two countries to improve HIV/AIDS prevention and research activities, according to an HHS press release. Thompson also announced a $14.8 million five-year NIH grant to expand HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and vaccine research activities in China and the assignment of two personnel to the Chinese Centers for Disease Control to provide technical assistance on HIV/AIDS-related activities (HHS release, 6/28). The announcement came a day after the release of a U.N. report that said China is "on the brink of an explosive AIDS epidemic" and could have 10 million HIV-positive residents by 2010 (AP/Nando Times, 6/28). The memorandum calls for increased collaboration in the development of effective HIV prevention strategies, including improving the safety of the blood supply and reducing HIV transmission in health care settings; HIV/AIDS epidemiology and surveillance systems; and additional opportunities for the training and exchange of health care workers and scientists. The grant was awarded through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Comprehensive International Program of Research on AIDS initiative and the personnel are part of the CDC's Global AIDS Program. "This MOU underscores the Bush administration's commitment to combating HIV/AIDS, and we look forward to working with our international partners at the International AIDS Conference in Barcelona," Thompson said in a statement (HHS release, 6/28).
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