MANILA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday
praised China's health emergency response as "quick, effective and well
organized" in the wake of the fatal earthquake that has killed nearly 70,000
people in the southwestern province of Sichuan.
In a press release, WHO said the conclusion was made after its
representatives visited and inspected health measures in the quake-hit areas in
Sichuan.
Facilities visited included several hospitals and a temporary settlement in
Mianzhu City, a county-level city in Deyang prefecture, as well as the Sichuan
Provincial People's Hospital in Chengdu, the capital of the province.
"The effectiveness of the response was especially commendable considering
the number of people affected and the extent of the damage," said Dr Hans
Troedsson, WHO's Representative in China.
"In particular, I would underline the high level of dedication and
volunteerism evident in the medical professionals we met," Troedsson said.
A second team of WHO experts will visit China from June 11 to 23 to provide
a set of recommendations on rebuilding healthcare services, the press release
said.
WHO experts have already provided training to nurses and volunteers who are
working with the earthquake survivors in response to the assistance request
raised by China's Ministry of Health.
China has also asked WHO to assist in providing essential medical equipment
and supplies to quake victims.