Preparation is in full swing for the construction of China's first center for HIV/AIDS treatment, and is expected to start within the year in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

At a cost of 160 million yuan (US$19.27 million), the center, 28 km from downtown Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, will be able to house 200 patients, said Provincial Vice Governor Wu Xiaoqing, who also chairs the provincial AIDS control work committee.

The center will also be engaged in medicine development and offer consultation services and training programs for medical staff, said Wu.

By the end of June, Yunnan had reported a total of 16,141 HIV carriers and 1,063 AIDS patients, both the largest numbers nationwide.

As from March, the province had launched a program to follow up with the local HIV/AIDS patient situation, and offer medical treatment and other related services for them.

(Xinhua News Agency August 2, 2004)