Rescue team makes international grade

An emergency rescue team from Shanghai formally joined the World Health Organization's Emergency Medical Team Initiative after completing a rigorous classification process.

The recognition certifies that the team is capable of providing mobile emergency field hospitals and staff members in response to natural disasters and disease outbreaks.

"This means that when a disaster strikes and an affected country requests help we can quickly deploy medical teams that we know meet our high standards," said Dr Margaret Chan, director-general of the WHO.