XN000022-1993-07-02 — Page 10

FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1993

BUT

OF THE NINE APPLICATIONS, ONE WAS FROM A PATIENT WHO IS MARRIED WITHOUT DEPENDENT CHILDREN; SEVEN WERE FROM SINGLE PERSONS:; AND ONE WAS FROM THE FAMILY OF A PATIENT WHO HAD DIED.

MEANWHILE, PROFESSOR

TODD SAID THE COUNCIL WAS AWARE THAT A NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS WERE PLANNING PROJECTS TO PROVIDE MEDICAL/SUPPORT SERVICES FOR HIV PATIENTS AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE PREVENTION OF THE DISEASE.

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HE ADDED THAT THE COUNCIL WELCOMED APPLICATIONS FOR SUPPORT OF SUCH PROJECTS AND ENCOURAGED THESE ORGANISATIONS TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

AT THE MEETING TODAY, THE COUNCIL ALSO RECEIVED A REPORT FROM THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, ON THE OUTCOME OF THE NINTH INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE WHICH WAS HELD IN BERLIN BETWEEN JUNE 7 AND 11 THIS YEAR.

MRS WONG ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE AS PART OF A 10-MEMBER HONG KONG DELEGATION.

COMMENTING ON THE REPORT, PROFESSOR TODD SAID: "WE ARE PLEASED THAT HONG KONG'S RECENT INITIATIVES ON AIDS HAVE BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY.

"IN THE LIGHT OF WHAT WE HAVE HEARD, THE COUNCIL REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT

PROVIDING ADDITIONAL MEDICAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES THOSE WITH HIV/AIDS, AND TO PROMOTE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

"WE ARE FIGHTING A BATTLE ON TWO FRONTS: FIRSTLY, WE HAVE PERSUADE PEOPLE THAT AIDS IS A REAL THREAT THAT CAN BE COUNTERED TAKING SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS; AND SECONDLY, WE HAVE TO TEAR DOWN WALLS OF PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THOSE WITH HIV/AIDS AGAINST THE MORE UNFORTUNATE MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY. **

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PROFESSOR TODD NOTED THAT THE MEDIA WHICH PLAYED SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN INFORMING AND SHAPING PUBLIC OPINION, COULD AND SHOULD PLAY A PROMINENT PART IN THIS PROCESS.

"THE EMERGING PATTERN OF AIDS TRANSMISSION THROUGH HETEROSEXUAL INTERCOURSE IS A MATTER OF CONCERN, SAID PROFESSOR TODD.

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"WE AGREE WITH THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE THAT WE SHOULD FOCUS ESPECIALLY ON THE ROLE WHICH WOMEN CAN PLAY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS, BOTH AS SEX PARTNERS AND AS THE TRADITIONAL THE FAMILY AND QUARDIANS OF THE YOUNG, HE ADDED.

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