Starting from January 14, 2008, there was a heavy snow in Tongren City, which caused the most serious damage in the recent 50 years. Transportation, electric power were impacted seriously, and highway was breakup completely. On January 27, Tongren CDC was informed by Yinjiang County CDC that two ART patients urgently needed new ARVs. Drug resistance might emerge once ART is interrupted and further lead to treatment failure. Tongren CDC paid special attention to this problem and reported it to Tongren Health Bureau and Tongren Health Emergency Office. Director Wang Yaxi of Tongren CDC hold an emergency meeting immediately and discussed with Yinjiang County CDC in detail. The deicision was made as follows after the discussion: Tongren CDC would try its best to overcome difficulties to deliver ARVs to Jiangkou County at the soonest since the highway between Tongren and Yinjiang County was unavailable. Staff of Yinjiang County CDC walked from Chanxi Township to Miaowangpo and then to Jiangkou County to take the ARVs.

Finally, two staff members of Yinjiang County CDC brought ARVs to the two AIDS patients. The two ART patients were deeply impressed. They said, "Thank you. We appreciate the care of the Party and government".

Wang Yaxi was satisfied with the safe and timely delivery of ARVs, requested staff of the HIV/AIDS Control Division to check whether there was urgent need for ARVs by other AIDS patients, and emphasized the timely delivery of ARVs to all AIDS patients in need even by foot.

This action reflected the highly attention paid by Governments, health authorities and CDCs at various levels for the treatment of AIDS patients. Staff of CDCs tried their best to ensure the timely delivery of ARVs in spite of the severe snowstorm and let AIDS patients know the will of the Party and government. This action also indicated the commitment of Tongren City in implementing the "Four Frees and One Care" policy and containing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

(Zhou Mengmeng, Tongren District CDC of Guizhou Province)