Coming out from the shadows

Hotel guest Dr Bai was annoyed his breakfast was taking such a long time and was quite pleased to finally see a waiter arrive at his table - but this was no ordinary waiter. About six months ago this man had discovered he was HIV positive and like most people in China was terrified by the "killer disease".

Soon after the diagnosis he tried to kill himself.

But after psychological counseling and becoming aware of treatment available, he regained his confidence in life. Bai knows the waiter's ordeal better than most doctors. "As an HIV positive myself, I understand how he feels," says the doctor, who declines to reveal his full name.