Vice-Premier Liu Yandong asked authorities to implement the country’s HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention plans at the 2nd plenary meeting of the State Council AIDS Working Committee on Nov 24, in Beijing.

China has made new developments in preventing and treating HIV/AIDS, and is controlling the epidemic with greater force, Liu said.

The country has also effectively implemented comprehensive measures to fight the disease, she said. The measures contained strong narcotics control.

According to Liu, people infected with the HIV are able to get free anti-virus treatments in a more timely manner than before.

However, fight against the epidemic does not allow for optimism, and the authorities need to strengthen their efforts, she added.

Liu said that authorities should focus on prevention, reducing new HIV cases, curbing spread of the virus in key areas and among key groups of people through strengthened intervention.

The vice-premier also said that the government should work to improve the social security system to further lower patients’ financial burden and guarantee patients’ rights to go to hospital, to go to school and to find a job.