Take-up of HIV test too low, says govt (2)

Ma Yanming, media officer of BHB said that the fear of a lack of privacy when being tested is unfounded.

"These high-risk people need to understand that hospitals must have their information such as [real] name and ID card number, otherwise we won't know the number of people who have HIV/AIDS," he said.

Ma said that the government is cooperating with voluntary organizations to help get those people at risk of HIV/AIDS tested, and to gather information about them.

Nevertheless, Fan Popo, executive chairman of the Beijing LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Center told the Global Times that although the government always wants to reinforce its supervision of those with HIV/AIDS to control its spread, the key issue to tackle is a reduction in the social discrimination these people face.

"In the gay community, people are afraid their family and friends will find out they are gay if they go to have the test," he said.