Third Chinese medical expert team leaves for Italy

On March 25, China’s third group of anti-pandemic medical experts set off from Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province, to assist Italy as it tackles the COVID-19 outbreak.

The team brought with them medical supplies donated by Fujian province, including 30 ventilators, 20 monitors, 3,000 sets of protective gowns, 20,000 N95 masks, 300,000 medical masks, and 3,000 isolation masks.

The Fujian Overseas Chinese Federation and related overseas Chinese organizations have also raised funds and donated protective materials to Italian Chinese and overseas Chinese.

Chinese medical experts pose for a group photo before leaving for Italy on March 25. [Photo/Liu Xiaoyu]

The experts team was organized by the National Health Commission (NHC), with experts from Fujian Provincial Hospital, the Fujian Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Fuzhou Pulmonary Hospital, and the Health Commission of Fujian. Two experts from a Beijing hospital and the national CDC were designated as consultants by the NHC.

The experts specialize in areas such as respiratory ailments, intensive care, infectious diseases, hospital infection control, traditional Chinese medicine and nursing.

Guo Yansong from Fujian Provincial Hospital is the team leader.

A Chinese medical expert comforts his kids before leaving for Italy on March 25. [Photo/Jiao Yan]

A Chinese medical expert hugs her family when saying goodbye on March 25. [Photo/Jian Yan]

Chinese medical experts say goodbye before leaving for Italy on March 25. [Photo/ Liu Xiaoyu] 

Their main task is to share experience with local hospitals and experts, introduce China's anti-pandemic measures, and provide advice on prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment in light of the actual situation in Italy.

In addition, the Chinese medical experts will carry out pandemic prevention and control promotion for Chinese-funded institutions, overseas Chinese, and international students, provide them with necessary protective items, and give them medical and health suggestions and assistance in accordance with local laws and regulations and specific conditions.

The experts will mainly work in the Tuscany region of Italy under the guidance of the Chinese Embassy to Italy.

The medical team boards the bus to the airport on March 25. [Photo/Jiao Yan]