Positive Reinforcement - Gabriel Suk on AIDS Awareness in China

The number of people affected by the HIV virus in China is estimated to be at least 1.5 million and rising – a trend that underscores the importance of organizations like Prevention Through Education (PTE), which aims to reduce the social stigma of the illness and increase awareness. To mark World AIDS Day (December 1), we spoke to PTE founder, Gabriel Suk, about the AIDS situation in China.

What inspired the foundation of PTE?
The idea for PTE came through several experiences in China. I spent a year in Beijing in 2004 to 2005. When I was preparing to head back to the States, I wanted to spend a few weeks doing an HIV/ AIDS education course in a small town in Zhejiang province where I’d lived in during 2003. I had spent most of 2001 in South Africa doing a rural HIV/AIDS education project and it was an issue that was close to my heart so I thought it would be an appropriate farewell to China.

As I began to gather resources for this planned HIV/AIDS education course, I realized that there was really nothing out there in terms of quality education materials. The idea to do this one-off week training slowly began to morph into the idea of PTE: an organization dedicated to providing HIV/AIDS education resources for China’s youth. It was very much an incidental outcome, but a good one all the same.

How are you funded?
PTE is funded largely through private donations from individuals all around the world. We also receive a small amount of support from the Merck Partnership for Giving.

How does the AIDS education PTE provides differ from the education you received in your youth?
The HIV/AIDS education I received in my youth focused on a lot of scare tactics and a long litany of things not to do. For example, “don’t have unprotected sex, don’t share needles, don’t have multiple partners” etc. These are all valid and important points, but they should only be the very beginning of HIV/AIDS education and not its core component. PTE’s education focuses on reducing social stigma and discrimination, increasing knowledge of testing and treatment options, and teaching the basics of the HIV/AIDS virus and how it is transmitted from both a scientific and social angle.

What is your core purpose?
If someone is never tested for HIV they can never knowingly stop spreading the virus to others or take anti-retroviral medication, which can prolong their life indefinitely. Currently, only about 10-20% of HIV positive people worldwide know their status. HIV has been stigmatized to the point that people would rather die young not knowing that they have HIV than get tested. I think part of this stems from early education efforts, which focused on scaring people into safe behavior. Part of it is also reinforced by a very real present day stigma. This is particularly acute in China where people who are HIV positive face the very real possibility of being ostracized by their family and losing their job.

Why did you choose to launch PTE in China?
I can’t say that I chose to launch PTE in China as much as it just happened. I think China provides a phenomenal chance to stare down a growing epidemic and prevent it from becoming a generalized epidemic. In the past, the global community concentrated on responding to pre-existing epidemics that had already become generalized, but in China there is still a chance to stem the spread of the virus before it becomes ingrained in the fabric of society.

What is the current HIV/AIDS situation in China?
Infection rates are growing every year, although the situation is still far from the dire situation in Sub-Saharan Africa. The poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable are always at most risk. This is no different in China.

What treatments are available for HIV/AIDS sufferers in China?
There are anti-retroviral medications available that can prolong an HIV positive person’s life indefinitely. HIV is not terminal illness, but rather a chronic one for those that receive proper treatment.

Is HIV/AIDS less of a taboo subject than in the past?
No. People are more willing to talk about it, but deep down I think most of the stigma and taboo remains.

What are the most encouraging signs you see?
The central government is very committed to stemming the spread of the virus. This commitment is still filtering out to the provinces, but there is great initiative at the top on this.

And what are the fundamental challenges you face?
Like any small NGO we face the enormous challenge and pressure of funding our projects.

What is the target demographic PTE hopes to educate and how has PTE been received?
Young people, and anyone who is willing to help educate themselves and others – the kids we work with are amazing and inspiring. Many are incredibly willing and eager to receive the information we provide. People have been very supportive.

How can readers get involved with PTE?
They can take part in one of our marathon fundraisers, help with tech support and web design or volunteer to help coordinate some of our volunteer programs.

For more information, visit www.pte-china.org or e-mail info@pte-china.org

Xinhua marked World AIDS day with a selection of images from around China of events commemorating the event. You can view the images here.