Combined efforts spur fight against virus

Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong medics join forces

At least 22 Chinese medical workers have died in the fight against the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak, with more than 3,000 becoming infected.

However, thousands more are involved in the front-line battle against the epidemic－some of them at two hospitals founded by a Hong Kong businessman in Wuhan, Hubei province, the contagion's epicenter.

On Jan 23, when the city was placed under lockdown one day before Lunar New Year's Eve, Tse Chun-ming, who founded the two hospitals, bid farewell to his family in Hong Kong before leaving for Wuhan.

The 62-year-old headed for Wuhan Asia General Hospital, which he founded in 2018. Early last month, the facility became a designated hospital to treat patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia.

About 700 patients had been admitted to the facility by late last month, with 450 still hospitalized.

Meanwhile, Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital, founded by Tse in 1999, is screening for suspected cases by providing outpatient services for patients with fever.

Tse said: "I am the head of these hospitals. I believe that my presence will help boost the confidence of our medical staff."

More important, Tse said he must visit both hospitals to manage and allocate resources, including medical supplies, transportation and meals for more than 1,000 employees.

On Feb 11, Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan visited Wuhan Asia General Hospital and said it was making a major contribution to the fight against the epidemic.

The hospital symbolizes the joint efforts made by people in Hong Kong and on the Chinese mainland to tackle the virus, Sun said.

Wuhan accounts for most of the cases reported globally, and as of Monday, 4,471 patients remained in critical condition in the city. However, 59,897 people in the country have recovered from the disease, thanks to the collective courage and efforts of medical workers and entire communities nationwide.

At Tse's two hospitals, doctors from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan are working together to combat the outbreak.