Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao spent the Chinese Lunar New Year eve by visiting AIDS
patients in villages in Shangcai County of Henan
Province, which was worst hit by the deadly epidemic.
Braving the chilly winds and treading on snow-covered muddy
roads, Wen came to a rural clinic in the Nandawu Village of
LugangTown Tuesday morning. He asked the medical workers about how
the AIDS patients are treated and encouraged the patients to be
self-confident and follow doctors' advice.
Tears in eyes, AIDS sufferer Lei Xinlin said that he had gained
20 kilograms of weight after the successful medical treatment the
government provided for free.
Wenlou Village in Shangcai County is one of the villages with
the biggest number of AIDS patients because many poverty-stricken
villagers used to resort to selling their blood for a living and
were unfortunately infected by the fatal disease.
Last year, it was listed among 38 villages where the Henan
provincial government stationed special working teams to help with
AIDS treatment and economic development.
Today, all the patients in Wenlou Village enjoy free treatment,
all households have tap water supply, a brand new primary school
has been built for the children, and roads are paved to link
neighboring villages and towns.
"My husband and I can work again now after effective
treatments," AIDS sufferer Nie Zhan told the premier at his meeting
with AIDS patients in the village. "We had a net income of more
than 10,000 yuan last year by raising dozens of pigs."
"You are all AIDS victims," Wen told villagers. "You suffer the
most, bear the greatest difficulties and feel most lonely, but the
Party and government care about you. I believe you will exhibit
your strong confidence in the fight against the disease."
Wen had photographs taken with the AIDS patients and shook hands
with each of them before he left the village.
In the afternoon, Wen visited two other villages struck by the
disease. He called on two old villagers who both live with their
grandchildren after their sons and daughters-in-law died of AIDS.
The premier asked the local officials accompanying him to do more
to help villagers like the old people.
Wen had his Spring Festival eve dinner at "Sunny Homestead," a
home for both elders and orphans who lost families to AIDS.
Jiaozi (dumplings), a traditional food, was served at the
Chinese people's most important family reunion dinner.
Before the dinner, Wen inspected carefully the bedrooms,
classrooms and reading room of the orphans, who entertained him
with a performance. The premier also called on the old people
there.
"AIDS has cost the elderly their sons and daughters, deprived
the children of their parents. With the help of the Party and
government, these people have a new home here at this Sunny
Homestead," Wen said. "In our country, all citizens should care
each other and share the benefit of our reform and modernization
drive."
Wen also had a meeting with local officials and medical workers
in the evening. He stressed that AIDS prevention and control
concerns the future of the nation, and all localities and
departments concerned must work hard to prevent and control the
disease.
"Under the leadership of the Party Central Committee and the
State Council, with the participation of the whole society, we are
sure to curb the spread of AIDS," Wen said at the meeting.
(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2005)
