LHASA -- Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region established on Apr 11 an association dedicated to the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

The association has 56 members, of whom 33 are medical personnel and 23 volunteers, according to Kelsang Dondrup, the legal person of the association.

It aims to assist health authorities in areas such as health awareness promotion, volunteer training and patient care and assistance.

Kelsang Dondrup said that the association would spread health knowledge among farmers and herders, migrant population, students and government officials, provide psychological counselling and life assistance to AIDS patients and orphans, and promote the use of condoms among high-risk groups and encourage them to conduct HIV testing.

"In recent years, the HIV/AIDS prevention and control system has been basically sound in Tibet," said Sogdoi, director with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Tibet.

"However, the increase in the migrant population has brought new challenges for our work. The association, as a social organization, can improve public awareness on HIV testing and promote the mass prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS in Tibet."