A Public Letter From HBV Carriers In China

Dear Madam/ Sir,

Appreciate for your time of reading our previous letter. We’d like to share the current situation and a real story with you. The critical matter whether cancel the mandatory Hepatitis B test is still pending. Your support in this fateful moment can save 130 million people’s lives. We do appreciate your understanding and help. Below are some information shared with you.

Information about Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China (MOH)
·Today is the hearing deadline of the policy which permits children of HBV carriers to enter kindergartens.

·On July 30, Mr. Cui Fuqiang, director of the office of viral hepatitis at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of China said that the Ministry of Health would cancel the hepatitis B test in regular physical examinations. The next day, Mr. Haihua Deng, a spokesman of MOH, clarified that this was not an official statement but just an expert’s opinion. And then, MOH kept silent and postponed the news release conference which should be held on August 10 without any explanation. Comparing with massive media coverage, experts’ comments and hot arguments in Chinese society, MOH keeps silent till this moment.

·(Background Info) In 2007, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the PRC enacted the China Employment Promotion Law. The main objectives of this new legislation include promoting employment, establishing fair employment conditions, and banning employment discrimination. The penalty for employers who break the law is only RMB1,000 (about $143). The consequence of this law is employers began to reject HBV carriers for other excuses instead of hepatitis B.

·Why HBV carriers are still discriminated? It is because the mandatory HBV test in regular physical exams is not cancelled. This sort of test deprives carriers’ privacy and is the root of discrimination. Many experts and scholars indicate that the HBV test in regular physical exams is really unnecessary because carriers cannot infect others in daily contact.

·Why MOH does not cancel the mandatory HBV test no matter how much scientific evidence proved it? No official explanation. We understand it takes time to announce an official statement. We will appreciate for the timely response from MOH!

Voice from experts of infectious diseases

Many experts, scholars and doctors support to cancel the mandatory HBV test. Mr. Fuqiang Cui advocates canceling the HBV test. Mr. Hui Zhuang, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, sent media a written explanation that HBV carriers cannot infect others in daily contact. Dr. Haodong Cai, the director in a top infectious disease hospital, calls on to stop the HBV test and discrimination in society. We cannot list all experts and doctors’ name here, but we are sure that professionals in the field of infectious disease support to cancel the HBV test. They are glad to educate the public in order to alleviate the HBV discrimination. We do appreciate these experts, doctors and scholars’ professional input!

Voice from media coverage
Mainstream media in China, such as People Daily, China Daily, Global Times, Sina.com etc., reported the news about HBV discrimination and arguments from the Chinese society. Some international media, such as Voice of America, New York Times, also published some related articles recently. Media reported the opinions from experts, voice from HBV carriers and the general public objectively. Some reporters tried to interview MOH, but failed. Hope media friends could let MOH hear carriers’ voice in the news release conference. We do appreciate for your help!

A real story in Haikou, Hainan Province:
Baobao is as cute as other kids expect she is a HBV carrier. She is five years old now but never has a chance to play or study in any kindergarten with other kids. Her mother Ms. Luo said that when Bao was three years old, she tried to find a kindergarten for her. However, no kindergarten accepted Bao because she is a carrier. Bao often asks her mother: “Mom, why I have to stay at home alone, but other kids can play in kindergartens?” Whenever Bao passes by a kindergarten, she is always begging:”I wanna play slides with other kids in the kindergarten…”
Your support can save these kids from the gray childhood. HBV carriers are not Hepatitis B patients. Please help us convince MOH to cancel the HBV test.


Best regards

HBV carriers in China

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Acknowledge the hard work of 受治疗的鱼