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Timetable set for medical system in quake zone

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-18 06:48

BEIJING -- China has a timetable for rebuilding the medical care system in southwest areas hit by a massive quake last month, Health Minister Chen Zhu said Tuesday.

Chen spoke at a meeting here attended by health department heads from across the country, which pledged to complete the reconstruction of those medical facilities by the end of this year.

The government has sent more than 10,000 medical personnel to the area, where the quake destroyed huge numbers of buildings, including many hospitals and health care stations in towns and rural regions.

"The infrastructure and basic facilities for medical care in the quake areas have been seriously damaged and many local medical personnel were killed," Chen said.

According to the timetable, all medical teams from other parts of the country should send new personnel to relieve their advance squads by the end of June.

By the end of July, basic medical care services should be available to all people living in resettlement areas and most of the quake-hit towns, the timetable said.

By the end of September, medical centers should be set up in counties and towns to provide regular health service.

By the end of December, modern buildings and basic equipment should be ready in all quake-hit areas so that medical personnel can offer indoor care.

"Tasks to provide medical care services and prevention of epidemic disease in the quake zone will be at a critical juncture as summer is coming," Minister Chen Zhu said.

The official expressed his concerns over dangers of heatwave and sunstroke harming quake victims who lived in resettlement zones where water and food could be polluted.

"The air temperature is rising and it could cause epidemics with insufficient public medical facilities," Chen said, adding temperature in tents could rise to 45 degrees Celsius.

Besides rebuilding work, the Chinese central government has arranged for other provinces to send large quantities of epidemic vaccines.

According to the ministry, as of Monday 2.047 million vaccines have been delivered and about 537,000 children under 12 have been inoculated.

So far no major epidemics or other public health incidents have been reported by the ministry.