Xiao Lin (an alias), a 23-year-old patient from Wuhan who was recovering from surgery, echoed that sentiment. He added that the clinic's doctors have greater experience in handling conditions such as adverse drug reactions, including stomach pains, diarrhea and vomiting, skin rashes, headache and excessive tiredness, than the staff at the CDCs, who focus more on prevention.

Xiao's doctor helped arrange his referral for surgery. "At first the hospital was reluctant to accept me, because of my status," he said. According to Dr Zhao, about 80 percent of the patients she treats are on the same regimen as Roger and Xiao Lin, but she stressed that TDF isn't suitable for everyone and a variety of prescriptions are available, depending on the condition of the patient.

Xiao Zhou (an alias), a 33-year-old college teacher from Wuhan who began receiving treatment at the clinic in October, said he chose the program after careful deliberation.

"I used to go to the local CDC AIDS clinic, but the services they provided hardly matched those here," he said.

Unlike the CDC clinic, Zhao's patients have access to a number of separate treatment rooms in which they can undergo various procedures, including examination, consultation and the administration of drugs. Only staff members are allowed to be present when the patient is treated, he added. "To make them feel safe and comfortable, we are open for reservations and they can choose their own time to attend, even if it's a Sunday," said Zhao.

The clinic is normally open from 8:30 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday, and to ensure privacy, the nameplate doesn't include the acronyms HIV or AIDS.

Xiao Zhou always wears sunglasses as a disguise when he visits the clinic. He said the fact it's located in a hospital that also treats numerous skin diseases is a source of comfort as it offers a degree of protection from negative attitudes and the perceived stigma of being an AIDS patient. Inaccurate reports that sufferers were intentionally spreading HIV used to be commonplace and often prompted prejudice among some members of the public, "We have to put ourselves in their shoes and be careful with every detail," said Zhao.

Zhang Xin said the services, including reminders to take the drugs and the distribution of free condoms, are well received by the patients.

"Their efforts are worth the price," said a patient, who works at a State-owned enterprise and preferred not to be named. "I'm still able to earn and have even asked to buy more effective drugs that have fewer side effects, just in case," he said.