A disturbing trend is underway. According to an editorial in the latest edition of The Lancet, there is a surge in patient violence against doctors in Chinese hospitals. Root causes include “poor investment in the health system and in training and paying doctors, which can lead to medical errors, corruption, and poor communication between health professionals and patients.” The Lancet also highlights societal factors such as “negative media reports about doctors, poor public understanding of medicine, unrealistic patient expectations about treatments, and catastrophic out-of-pocket health-care expenses for families.”
[NEWS] Asia Catalyst Report Cited by Local Chinese Health Officials
The Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention has picked up China’s Blood Disaster: The Way Forward, a report jointly prepared by Asia Catalyst and Korekata AIDS Law Center .
While government officials maintain only 65,100 people contracted HIV through blood sales and transfusions, AIDS activists have long argued the true number is much higher. The report finds that still few of the thousands affected have been able to get compensation.
[NEWS] First Steps: UN Releases Statement on Drug Centers
A joint statement cosigned by 12 UN bodies, including UNAIDS, last Friday, called for all “States to close compulsory drug detention and rehabilitation centers and implement voluntary, evidence-informed and rights-based health and social services in the community.” The statement noted that many of the compulsory centers violate internationally recognized human rights standards often involving physical and sexual violence or forced labor.
Read the full report here.
[NEWS] CAP+关于停止艾滋病检测实名制立法活动的呼吁
China Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (CAP+) Statement on
Real-Name Testing Policy for HIV/AIDS
For those following the uproar about proposed policies in Guangxi, endorsed the Ministry of Health, that would institute real-name HIV testing and compulsory partner notification (summary on our blog, here); below is a strong statement with reference to Chinese laws by China’s national association of people living with HIV/AIDS. A short summary in English follows.
[UPDATE] October-December 2011
CELEBRATING OUR FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
In 2012, Asia
Catalyst is celebrating five years of partnering with grassroots groups in East
and Southeast Asia. In a challenging environment, this new generation of
leaders is developing innovative ways to meet the needs of marginalized
communities. Most of our partners are small start-up groups in Asia and as part
of our 5th Anniversary Campaign, we are asking for donations to help Chinese
health rights advocates to make their voices heard at the International AIDS
Conference in Washington D.C. this July. Please make a tax-deductible
contribution here.
