AIDSWEEKLY Plus; Monday, December 07, 2009
Staff Medical Writers

2009 DEC 7 - (NewsRx.com) -- Dr. Gao Yaojie's book China's AIDS Plague: 10,000 Letters was first published in Beijing in 2004 to great acclaim -- but the book's revelations on government complicity in the crisis, and its criticisms of the "blood plasma market" that spread the disease, led to its distribution being suppressed. Five years later, Dr. Gao has updated her book with brand new documents and photos. Edited under highly confidential conditions, the book was published by Hong Kong's Open Books in November. Dr. Gao Yaojie has chosen World AIDS Day, December 1, 2009, to introduce her book, and address the current condition of the AIDS crisis in China (see also ChinaAid).

China discovered its first HIV/AIDS case in 1984. Dr. Gao Yaojie, formerly a professor at the Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and one of China's foremost AIDS experts, undertook a mission to gain a deeper understanding of the situation in rural Henan and hundreds of villages throughout China. Her efforts to publicize and relieve the human cost of the disease and the hardships of the orphans left behind moved the conscience of Chinese society and the international community -- earning her the nickname "China's Mother Theresa," and numerous humanitarian awards.

Dr. Gao Yaojie has endured limitations on her personal freedom, monitoring of her communications, media assassination and defamation, and harassment of herself and her family members. Following the death of her husband in 2006, Dr. Gao became even more isolated and marginalized, and her personal safety was compromised. With the combined efforts of ChinaAid and U.S. Government officials, Dr. Gao recently left China in secret, bringing with her the truth behind China's AIDS crisis.

Keywords: AIDS/HIV, Asia, China, Hong Kong, Epidemics, HIV/AIDS, Plague, ChinaAid.

This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

2009-12-07
AW091203

Copyright © 2009 - Charles Henderson, Publisher. All rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted to AEGIS by Charles W. Henderson. Authorization to reproduce for personal use granted granted by C. W. Henderson, Publisher, provided that the fee of US$4.50 per copy, per page is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center, 27 Congress Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, USA. Published by Charles Henderson, Publisher. Editorial & Publishing Office: P.O. Box 5528, Atlanta, GA 30307-0528 / Telephone: (800) 633-4931; Subscription Office: P.O. Box 830409, Birmingham, AL 35283-0409 / FAX: (205) 995-1588 http://www.newsrx.net

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in December 2009. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2009. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.