With World Aids Day just around the corner, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has appointed a new Goodwill Ambassador for China—renowned actor and humanitarian Huang Xiaoming. The announcement was made at an event at the UNAIDS office in Beijing.
UNAIDS appoints new Goodwill Ambassador for China
Three days before the annual World Aids Day, UNAIDS nominated renowned Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming as a new goodwill ambassador for China. As the third person to take up this role in the country, Huang says he is thrilled about a new report from UNAIDS.
“I was informed that hopefully, the HIV epidemic could be ended by 2030, which is quite encouraging. I think every one of us is responsible for trying our best to make it come true,” said Huang.
Huang began his acting career in 1998. He has starred in numerous box office hits in China. His humanitarian work has included donating funds to support post-disaster reconstruction following the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake and adopting the twin pandas, born and rescued after the quake.
In his new role, Huang will raise awareness on the importance of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, with a special emphasis on HIV prevention among young people.
There were 654,000 people living with HIV in China by the end of September 2016. Young people, aged 15-24, are particularly vulnerable to the virus. In China, more than 7 percent of people living with HIV are young people.
Raising public awareness on the one hand, China has also been working on the medical treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. Currently, seven or eight oral drugs for AIDS are provided to patients for free in China. And a domestically-developed, long-acting AIDS drug is getting its final review. If approved, patients would be able to have weekly injections, instead of daily oral drugs.
UNAIDS country director for China Catherine Sozi says AIDS patients who are undergoing medical treatment could live a relatively normal life. They are going to work, to school and have families. As a result, many of the international organisations like UNAIDS have been trying to make it easier for patients to access treatment.
UNAIDS also urges serious sexual education from both school and parents.
