China's Political Season: NPC deputy calls for including AIDS treatment in medical insurance

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China has about 750-thousand people living with HIV. At this year's National People Congress, a deputy from Guangzhou, who's also a doctor, is pushing for including AIDS treatment in the nation's medical insurance. CGTN's He Weiwei has more.

Cai Weiping is one of China's first batch of doctors specializing in AIDS treatment. He's worked for the past two decades and has treated over 20-thousand people with AIDS.

DING XIAOFANG PERSON LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS "He's responsible and very kind to patients. He once said to me: 'You'll live long, longer than me.' With such good words, it's going to be worth it even if I die now."

A HUA PERSON LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS "Dr. Cai was the first doctor and the only one 20 years ago in this hospital to conduct physical examination on my body without gloves. It made a great difference. He made me feel like I was not discriminated against. Then we became good friends. We would meet every month, and I help him comfort other patients."

Dr. Cai says he has hundreds of patients who became his friends. He wants to set an example and help eliminate the public's prejudice against people with AIDS.

CAI WEIPING, NPC DEPUTY DOCTOR AT GUANGZHOU NO. 8 PEOPLE'S HOSPITAL "Under safe circumstances, I'll never wear masks or gloves. As doctors we ought to convey confidence to our patients. Sometimes even their own families are not willing to stay with them, so I'll invite them to dinner together, to show their relatives that it's safe to have a meal with AIDS patients."

China currently provides free basic medicine for AIDS. As an NPC deputy this year, Dr. Cai is calling for including AIDS treatment in the nation's medical insurance system, under which people will pay part of the bill to get better drugs.

CAI WEIPING, NPC DEPUTY DOCTOR AT GUANGZHOU NO. 8 PEOPLE'S HOSPITAL "Most of the free medicines are quite old, developed ten years ago. And the newly-developed ones haven't been introduced into China. That cannot meet patients' demands for new drugs. For people willing to pay more for better drugs, we should offer them access. Medical insurance is the solution."

Cai's suggestion has been submitted to the National People's Congress. He hopes this time he can do more for his patients. HWW, CGTN, GZ.