Authorities require reporting of HIV infections at schools

BEIJING - China's health and education authorities on Monday required the country's schools to establish systems to report HIV/AIDS infection cases in students.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission and the Ministry of Education said in a joint circular that infections of the virus among young students saw a marked rise in recent years, a sign of problems in education and students' awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention.

The two authorities required local health and education agencies to improve awareness at schools and called for establishment of an infection reporting system and regular consultation mechanism to analyze the cause of infections and formulate countermeasures.

The circular also urged proper protection of infected students' privacy.

Students in secondary schools and older should attend special classes on HIV/AIDS prevention focused on prevention of unsafe behavior as well as sexual responsibility and morality, the circular said.

It also pledged financial support for volunteer services.

The circular said HIV/AIDS voluntary counselling and testing services should be improved and schools should encourage students with risky behaviors to use the services.