A photo from a People Daily’s online report last week showed the boy called “Kunkun,” watching villagers unanimously vote for his removal in a meeting held in early December. Even his own grandfather, added his name to the petition signed by more than 200 villagers.
“Kunkun is diagnosed with AIDS, causing great fear among the villagers and village children. In order to ensure the safety of villagers and children, we demand that authorities quarantine Kunkun for treatment,” the petition read.
In response, China’s health authority promised to assure Kunkun with the right to medical treatment, education and a living allowance, reported China Daily.
“Everyday life with an infected person doesn’t affect others’ health, and the infected person’s rights are protected by laws and regulations,” said Wu Zunyou, director of the National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention in a press release issued Saturday.
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China’s First Lady Peng Liyuan who was appointed World Health Organization’s goodwill ambassador for AIDS in 2011, has appeared in public advertisements holding hands and playing with HIV-positive children.
Despite China’s fight against AIDS, cases such as Kunkun’s suggest inconsistency with official policy.
READ MORE: Campaigners say discrimination hinders China’s AIDS fight
