Hepatitis B carriers highlight discrimination
Source: Xinhua |
July 29, 2012, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
HUNDREDS of hepatitis B carriers gathered in downtown Chengdu, Sichuan Province, to cover their eyes, ears and mouths, symbolizing "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil," in a bid to raise awareness about their infection yesterday, World Hepatitis Day.
"Although the number of hep B carriers is huge in China, people are reluctant to accept them. I hope this performance art can bring the public's attention to the need for equal rights for those with hep B," said Cheng Zhuo, the organizer of the event in Chengdu.
Lei Chuang, a 25-year-old activist against hep B discrimination as well as a post-graduate student at Zhejiang University, initiated a "hep B carriers treat you to dinner" event on the Sina Weibo microblog platform this week, winning support from people living with hep B in 12 Chinese cities.
"Our focus is not the dinner itself. We are calling for a scientific spirit and equal rights," said Lei, a hep B carrier.
"We want to let more people understand hep B and eliminate social discrimination against us," he added.
Feng Bofeng, a human resources manager in Hangzhou, asked to have dinner with Lei.
"As an HR manager, I know companies' prejudice against hepatitis B carriers remains serious," Feng said.
"I want to challenge this," he said.
As of noon yesterday, 25 people in the southern boomtown of Guangzhou had taken to Weibo to join the local "hep B carriers treat you to dinner" event.
However, shifting widespread public attitudes is no easy task.
"People quickly run away when they hear the words 'hepatitis B.' Some even say it is infectious," said Yang Zhanqing, initiator of the "hep B carriers treat you to dinner" event in Zhengzhou, in central China's Henan Province.
About 93 million Chinese people are infected with the hepatitis B virus, 70 percent of whom are HB carriers, according to the Chinese Ministry of Health.
Although it has been scientifically proven that hep B can only be transmitted via blood, sex and mother-to-fetus transmission, public sentiment has not caught up with science.
Chinese job hunters with hep B have long complained of discrimination.
In 2005, the government issued a standard that put hep B carriers among those eligible for the civil service.
In 2010, universities and enterprises were banned from screening for hep B in admission and recruitment processes.
"Discrimination against hep B carriers is easing but it is still worrisome in regards to employment," said activist Lei.
"Although the number of hep B carriers is huge in China, people are reluctant to accept them. I hope this performance art can bring the public's attention to the need for equal rights for those with hep B," said Cheng Zhuo, the organizer of the event in Chengdu.
Lei Chuang, a 25-year-old activist against hep B discrimination as well as a post-graduate student at Zhejiang University, initiated a "hep B carriers treat you to dinner" event on the Sina Weibo microblog platform this week, winning support from people living with hep B in 12 Chinese cities.
"Our focus is not the dinner itself. We are calling for a scientific spirit and equal rights," said Lei, a hep B carrier.
"We want to let more people understand hep B and eliminate social discrimination against us," he added.
Feng Bofeng, a human resources manager in Hangzhou, asked to have dinner with Lei.
"As an HR manager, I know companies' prejudice against hepatitis B carriers remains serious," Feng said.
"I want to challenge this," he said.
As of noon yesterday, 25 people in the southern boomtown of Guangzhou had taken to Weibo to join the local "hep B carriers treat you to dinner" event.
However, shifting widespread public attitudes is no easy task.
"People quickly run away when they hear the words 'hepatitis B.' Some even say it is infectious," said Yang Zhanqing, initiator of the "hep B carriers treat you to dinner" event in Zhengzhou, in central China's Henan Province.
About 93 million Chinese people are infected with the hepatitis B virus, 70 percent of whom are HB carriers, according to the Chinese Ministry of Health.
Although it has been scientifically proven that hep B can only be transmitted via blood, sex and mother-to-fetus transmission, public sentiment has not caught up with science.
Chinese job hunters with hep B have long complained of discrimination.
In 2005, the government issued a standard that put hep B carriers among those eligible for the civil service.
In 2010, universities and enterprises were banned from screening for hep B in admission and recruitment processes.
"Discrimination against hep B carriers is easing but it is still worrisome in regards to employment," said activist Lei.
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