Doctors race against time to save Sichuan earthquake victims

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‍A steady stream of patients has arrived at hospitals in Chengdu, since the magnitude-7 earthquake struck Sichuan Province on Tuesday night.

Of the 34 injured that have been sent to Sichuan Province People's Hospital, one-third of them are seriously injured.

An 8-year-old girl is the youngest patient to have been transferred from the debris. She was hit in the head by a large stone which damaged the language function areas of her brain. A group of neurological experts have traveled to Chengdu to work on her case.

Ling Feng, a doctor from Beijing, said, "I am one of the three doctors assigned by the National Health and Family Planning Commission from Beijing to Chengdu. Local hospitals have already had rich experience in treatment, but we are coming to cooperate with them to establish more confidence in curing injured patients."

CGTN Photo

The girl's mother said the family had traveled to Jiuzhaigou for a summer holiday and could never have foreseen the tragedy that would unfold.

"We are quite worried about our child. Doctors and nurses are staying beside her day and night. I am so happy that my daughter survived and is being treated carefully, I really appreciate their efforts," she said.

Elderly patients are also receiving treatment in the hospital.

One 75-year-old woman is in a critical condition, sustaining severe injuries, including bone fractures in five areas.

CGTN Photo

Deng Shaoping, President of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital said, "There is internal bleeding and she needs a blood transfusion. She also has a lung injury, so we have had a consultation with all our experts and we have decided to carry out emergency surgery."

Doctors say they are racing against time to save those with severe injuries.

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