By Cao Li (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-21 07:16

SHANGHAI: Dr Qu Huiping boarded a train here yesterday bound for Sichuan's quake-hit areas, where he will provide medical help just as he did 32 years ago after the Tangshan earthquake, which claimed 240,000 lives.

"I have the experience and am ready for the challenge," the 57-year-old doctor said.

His job this time will be to provide medical support to a team of 68 engineers and water quality experts dispatched to restore the water supply systems in two of the province's worst-hit cities, Mianzhu and Shifang.

Qu's wife and family waved him off yesterday at the railway station.

In 1976, Qu stayed in Tangshan, Hebei province for seven months treating the injured and the sick, as well as training local doctors.

His experience will make him an invaluable asset on the ground in Sichuan.

Shen Yiyun, deputy director of the Shanghai municipal water affairs bureau and leader of the team, told China Daily that water supply systems servicing more than 2 million Sichuan people have collapsed.

More than 1.1 million are currently dependent on bottled water, he said.

"We have chosen the very best members of our staff, including experts on water quality examination, purification, pipework and construction, to take part in the operation" he said.

"We are prepared to stay there as long as it takes, but we hope to fix the system as soon as possible."

The team initially wanted to drive to Sichuan, but the municipal government decided it should travel by train, along with relief supplies including bottled water, instant noodles and medicines.

Zeng Ciyuan, 33, an expert on water quality, said he felt honored to be part of the operation.

"I want to do what every other citizen in the country wants to do - help," he said.

Ma Jianyou, the oldest member of the Shanghai team at 58, is a specialist in emergency repairs.

He asked to join the team immediately after the department announced its decision.

Both his wife and son supported his decision to make a contribution to the relief effort, he said.

(China Daily 05/21/2008 page8)