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Protesters want compensation
By Shan Juan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-28 07:24
Ministry of Health officials are open to petitions from the people and are always concerned about the citizens' needs, said vice health minister Huang Jiefu on Friday. He made the remarks in response to a small-scale protest for better medical treatment in front of the ministry on Wednesday. The people demanded more financial aid and free medical care from the government. The 38 protesters were reportedly HIV/AIDS sufferers from Henan province, most of whom got infected from tainted blood transfusions. "The local government would definitely be held accountable for this if we can verify the complaints of the petitioners," Huang said. An investigation by the ministry is underway, he said. In the 1990s, many villagers in Henan got HIV through tainted blood transfusions while selling blood or plasma for financial reasons. This caused blood transfusions to become one of the major HIV transmission modes in the nation. In response, the government introduced policies for the victims including giving them free medications and financial aid, and shutting down illegal stations that were collecting blood and plasma. The problem is under control now, Huang said.
(China Daily 11/28/2009 page2) |
