Doctor Yin Zuluan works at a clinic in Guangsong Village, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 17, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]
For almost 20 years, 43 year old rural doctor Yin Zuluan, has been on the frontline of the battle to control the spread of AIDS in Guangyi village, southwest China's Yunnan province.
The village borders the notorious Golden Triangle, where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet. It's one of the most extensive opium-producing areas of Asia. Most of the world's heroin came from the Golden Triangle until the early 21st century when Afghanistan replaced it as the world's largest producer.
In 2005, Guangyi was designated an experimental village for the prevention and treatment of AIDS, aiming to provide education, consultations and simple treatments for the disease.
From the beginning, Yin was put in charge of the prevention and control of the disease, but few were willing to get tested, and she was frequently threatened. She was also once almost bitten by a villager's dog.
She recalls one tricky moment, when an infected needle accidentally stuck into her leg when she fell from her motorbike on a slippery mountain road. By taking preventative medicine for a whole month, she successfully avoided being infected herself.
Her family wants her to quit the job but Yin Zuluan decides to continue. Thanks to her efforts, no new patients from the village have presented themselves. Yin also made sure that everyone in the village has been taught about HIV infection and AIDS.
Now 90 percent of villagers between the ages of 15 and 49 years self-test their blood, with patients receiving medical check-ups once a month.
Children orphaned because of AIDS have gone on to college and have even majored in medicine, with others growing up, getting married, and living normal lives.
Her achievements in controlling HIV, have given her more time to tackle heart diseases, mental illness and high blood pressure.
Yin Zuluan has been honored by the nation many times. She has been offered the opportunity to work in bigger counties, but still prefers to remain in the poor village, trying her best to fight against the disease, and help over 3,000 villagers.
Doctor Yin Zuluan works at a clinic in Guangsong Village, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 17, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]
Doctor Yin Zuluan takes care of her father at home before going out to visit patients in Jinghan Town, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 17, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]
Doctor Yin Zuluan is seen at a clinic in Guangsong Village, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 17, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]
Doctor Yin Zuluan prepares for making a physical examination for a baby at a clinic in Guangsong Village, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 17, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]
Doctor Yin Zuluan arranges her medical supplies at a clinic in Guangsong Village, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 17, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]
Doctor Yin Zuluan visits a senior patient at his home in Guangsong Village, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 17, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]
Doctor Yin Zuluan is on her way to visit patients at their homes in Guangsong Village, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 17, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]
Doctor Yin Zuluan checks a woman's blood pressure at a clinic in Guangsong Village, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 17, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]
Doctor Yin Zuluan works at a clinic in Guangsong Village, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 17, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]
