China makes rare call for help in quake rescue efforts
By Channel NewsAsia China's correspondent Glenda Chong | Posted: 16 May 2008 2302 hrs

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SHANGHAI: As the death toll from China's earthquake continues to climb, the Chinese government made a rare call for rescue equipment and trained specialists to help in the disaster.

It took just two days for 3000 people to volunteer their services to help in the relief work in China's quake hit areas.

A group of 20 volunteers will be the first batch organised by Shanghai Youth League to leave for Chengdu.

Comprised of medical practitioners, this group of doctors, nurses and disease control experts is heading to one of the worst-hit areas - Mianyang in Sichuan province.

Lai Yan Ni, a physician at Shanghai Huashan Hospital, said: "This is what doctors do. It is our responsibility to save lives. I don't know how long we will stay but we'll be there as long as we are needed. The situation is quite serious. Doctors are needed. They (the people there) need supplies like medicine and food. We brought food, medicine, disinfection materials and some surgical equipment."

Shanghai Youth League said it has also mobilised another team of 20 people, who will leave once the situation on the ground is made clearer to them.

Another group - Parkway Health Group from Shanghai, is already on its second run to Chengdu. It has also donated US$50,000 worth of medical supplies.

Dr Liam Beng Lin, vice president of medical services at Parkway Health, said: "The Chengdu city health authorities have asked for a mixture of medical and surgical supplies. The medical supplies are essentially antibiotic medicines for acute respiratory and diarrhoea illnesses. Parkway opened an interim medical clinic in Chengdu in March, so we have two doctors there."

The first batch of medical supplies consisting of first aid tents, surgical equipment and defibrillators has arrived in Chengdu after a 24-hour journey. - CNA/ac