While discrimination against HIV carriers and AIDS patients still widely exists in China, the problem is even more prominent when it comes to medical treatment.

HIV carriers and AIDS patients face medical discrimination and are frequently referred to specialized hospitals for infectious diseases after being denied at general hospitals, according to a study released on May 17 by the United Nations' International Labour Organization and the National Center for AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control and Prevention.

The study was based on interviews with 103 people living with HIV and 23 healthcare workers. Another survey by the center found 12.1 percent of the HIV-infected interviewees had experienced denial of medical treatment at least once.