Gao Yaojie

Dr Gao Yaojie March 2007a

Gao Yaojie (Chinese: 高耀洁; born December 1927) is a Chinese gynecologist and AIDS activist. She is renowned for her efforts in raising awareness about the spread of HIV/AIDS in China, particularly in rural areas, and for her advocacy on behalf of those affected by the disease.

Early Life and Education

Gao Yaojie was born in December 1927 in Cao County, Shandong Province, China. She pursued her medical education at the Henan University of Chinese Medicine, where she specialized in gynecology.

Medical Career

Gao Yaojie began her medical career as a gynecologist. Over the years, she became increasingly aware of the HIV/AIDS epidemic spreading through rural China, particularly through unsafe blood donation practices. Her work as a physician brought her into direct contact with many patients suffering from the disease, which spurred her activism.

Activism

In the 1990s, Gao Yaojie started to investigate the causes of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in rural China. She discovered that many cases were linked to contaminated blood transfusions and blood selling practices. Despite facing significant opposition and censorship from local authorities, she began to distribute educational materials about HIV/AIDS and provide support to affected individuals.

Gao's activism included:

• Distributing over 300,000 copies of educational pamphlets about HIV/AIDS.
• Providing medical care and support to HIV/AIDS patients.
• Advocating for the rights of those affected by the disease.

Recognition and Awards

Gao Yaojie has received numerous awards for her work, including:

• The Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights in 2001.
• The Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 2003.

Challenges and Controversies

Gao Yaojie's activism has not been without challenges. She has faced harassment and surveillance from local authorities, who have attempted to silence her efforts to expose the extent of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in China. Despite these obstacles, she has continued her work, often at great personal risk.

Later Life

In her later years, Gao Yaojie has continued to advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and patient rights. She has also written several books and articles on the subject, further contributing to the global understanding of the epidemic.

See Also

• HIV/AIDS in China
• Henan University of Chinese Medicine
• Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights
• Ramon Magsaysay Award