Medical services for non-coronavirus patients resuming in Wuhan

Wuhan is resuming medical services to non-coronavirus-infected patients, senior officials said at a news conference on Monday in Central China's Hubei province.

Li Tao, deputy secretary-general of Wuhan city government, said that the government is endeavoring to enhance medical supplies to non-coronavirus-infected patients and those suffering from severe illness and chronic diseases are the top priority of the work.

He said 61 hospitals designated to receive patients not infected with coronavirus have resumed services since Sunday and another five hospitals will open to the public at the end of this month.

"It's required that every district of the city should open at least one general hospital to the public," he said. "Some 205 community health centers and village clinics will help offer basic medical services to patients."

Online medical services also are of importance to the treatment of non-coronavirus-infected patients, according to him. 

"Patients reserve and see doctors online and have their medicines delivered to their homes," he said. "Medical information will be updated every day to let people know when and where they can get medical services."

Li, however, said that the city will face greater challenges in medical services as public transportation has reopened to local residents since Wednesday and the city's lockdown will be relieved on April 8.

"It's predicted that demands for medical services will surge then and we are making efforts to enhance medical supplies for hospitals," he said.

According to Li, 37,225 medical workers are on duty in 66 hospitals till Sunday, with 25,900 hospital beds available to non-coronavirus patients. 

"The number of medical workers will be 40,000 and hospital beds 60,000 by April 8," he said. "A total of 205 community health centers and 3,589 designated pharmacies will open to the public by then."

The city's hospitals are in order to receive patients who are not infected with novel coronavirus pneumonia. 

Wei Li, dean of Wuhan No 1 Hospital, said at the news conference that the hospital has so far opened 24 sections for outpatients and those needing surgery have priority to receive treatment.

"Through Monday, we've received 5,424 patients, among whom 2,186 received services online," he said. "We've streamlined registration and payment procedures for patients. We have 123 machines ready for the 600-plus patients in need of kidney dialysis."

He said the hospital has enhanced promotion and management to help prevent patients from infecting others with coronavirus at the hospital. 

"We hope that patients can wear masks and wash their hands when coming to see the doctors," he said. "Online medical services also are a good choice that can help reduce the risks of getting infected with coronavirus."