BEIJING, May 29 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The Norwegian government is providing the World Health Organization with US$1.07 million of healthcare supplies for earthquake survivors in China, said Dr Eric Laroche, Assistant Director-General for WHO's Health Action in Crises cluster.
(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/20061102095006-51.jpg )
The donation includes emergency surgical supplies and equipment capable of treating 5,000 people for 10 days, as well as water-purification systems for four hospitals in the earthquake-affected area. Each system can produce 4,000 litres of drinking water per hour. Another 200 smaller units for individual families have also been donated, with each able to produce 10-25 litres of drinking water per day.
Clean water is essential for the prevention and control of communicable diseases. Safe food, proper sanitation and appropriate temporary shelter are other key requirements to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
WHO will be sending the entire consignment shortly in response to China's request for medical assistance.
"Norway's support for WHO's relief efforts in China is vital to help the injured recover from their injuries and to control the spread of diarrhoeal and other communicable diseases," said Dr Hans Troedsson, WHO Representative in China.
According to official figures, a total of 85,722 injured people have been hospitalized since the earthquake struck. As of May 28, 55,514 of these have been discharged.
WHO has been working closely with Chinese health authorities, previously providing medical supplies, offering guidance on disease control, and organizing a five-member team expert in disease surveillance, health system reconstruction and emergency relief.
For more information, please contact:
Ms Nyka Alexander
Communications Officer
WHO China
Tel: +86-10-6532-7191 ext 81281
Fax: +86-10-6532-2359
Mob: +86-1391-120-5167
Web: http://www.wpro.who.int/china
