Theater of healing and hope

"Today, 21 newly cured patients have been discharged from our makeshift hospital, "physician Ni Xiaohui told China Daily in the makeshift hospital at the Wuhan Sports Center on Thursday. "So far, a total of 115 patients have been cured and discharged from here."

Since Feb 9, Ni has led a team of 30 medical workers from Nantong in Jiangsu province who have treated 580 patients.

The temporary hospital is divided into six sections, each with 100 beds, he said.

Ni said he and his team have been kept busy at the hospital. Nurses have to perform a variety of tasks, including psychological consultations.

One doctor is responsible for 100 patients and must evaluate them and decide the proper treatments.

Before being discharged from hospital, a patient has to have two negative nucleic acid test results. CT scan images must also show an improvement in their condition.

"Although the work is exhausting, it's all worthwhile if patients can be cured and recover here," Ni said.