Italian, Japanese medics get to work

CHENGDU: International quake-relief efforts have stepped up a gear with the arrival of two medical teams from Japan and Italy.

They said they want to work in the most needed areas and stay as close as possible to quake-hit villagers.

The 22-member Italian team, which arrived in the Sichuan capital Chengdu yesterday afternoon, includes seven doctors and six nurses, as well as pharmacists and liaison officers.