Clinton brings AIDS drugs to Chinese children
(agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-24 03:36

Former US President Bill Clinton signed an agreement Wednesday with China to provide a year's supply of AIDS drugs to 200 children to help Beijing battle the disease.

The program is part of a three-year, US$10 million (euro7.6 million) deal struck last year between the Clinton Foundation and China's Health Ministry.

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton arrives at his hotel in Beijing February 23, 2005. [Reuters]

The Chinese government says an estimated 840,000 people have been infected with the AIDS virus in the nation. The UN AIDS agency says the number of infections could rise tenfold to 10 million by 2010 if urgent action is not taken.

"We have a real chance to keep this epidemic from spiraling out of control," Clinton said during the signing ceremony, held at the Health Ministry shortly after his arrival.

No details were released about the pediatric drug program.

Clinton said he has taken ``personal pleasure" in helping China tackle the spread of AIDS and was impressed at the country's response.

"I hope China's actions will encourage other countries (suffering from AIDS) to do as much," he said.

During the Lunar New Year this month, Premier Wen Jiabao visited AIDS patients and called for better prevention measures. The move not only showed the government's efforts to reduce the stigma of the disease, but also highlighted its concern about controlling its spread.

Since leaving office, Clinton has been using his celebrity status to get HIV therapies to needy countries through his Little Rock, Arkansas-based foundation.

He has brokered deals with several major pharmaceutical companies to supply AIDS drugs at discounted prices to the Third World and has sent policy experts to help countries fight the disease.

He has also channeled hundreds of millions in private donations and contributions from governments to countries, especially in Africa, where AIDS is rampant.

The former president traveled to Beijing from Hong Kong, where he promoted his autobiography, "My Life."

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