Blood test of syphilis, HIV/AIDS and HBV is to be promoted in China as a routine examination for pregnant women, an official with the Ministry of Health revealed on Saturday.

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Hao Yang, deputy director of the Ministry of Health's disease prevention and control bureau, said the plan is still under discussion. He said that the tests for the three contagious diseases were already carried out in most maternity hospitals, but seldom did those pregnant women be informed about the examination results.

"We believe it is necessary to let them know their health condition, which is important for the mothers and the babies," Hao said.

Furthermore, quick HIV test is also to be promoted around the nation. The Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention has launched the test in some gay bars.

Hao revealed that quick HIV test might be further promoted in local residential health clinics in the near future.

(chinadaily.com.cn May 10, 2010)