Quake Relief in Action: Medical rescue teams across China mobilized

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Medical teams from around China have been mobilized and sent to northwestern Qinghai Province to offer aid after Wednesday's earthquake.

Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region sent 105 medical staff and 15 ambulances to the quake-hit region Thursday.

The team traveled to the quake zone, about 2,500 km from Xinjiang, by road, said Yin Yulin, director of the regional health bureau.

Another 318 medical staff and 50 ambulances from north China's Shanxi Province were sent to Qinghai Thursday by train, said a spokesman for the provincial government.

The team, carrying medicines and medical equipment, would arrive in Xining, capital of Qinghai Province, in 24 hours, said the spokesman.

From Shaanxi Province, a team of 65 medical staff were flown to the quake-hit Yushu county Thursday.

"Ninety percent of the team members have quake-relief experience in Sichuan in May 2008," said Wu Guoqiang from the rescue team.

In Beijing, 97 medical staff set out to Qinghai by train late Thursday.

In northeast China's Liaoning Province, a 700-strong team is preparing for deployment, while a 60-strong team from southwest China's Yunnan Province has been mobilized.

"Some members are mental health experts. They are willing to help at any time," said Dong Degang, deputy director of Liaoning's health bureau.