Emergency medical teams ready for Expo

Shanghai is prepared to respond to any medical emergencies that may arise during next year's expo, according to city health officials.

In preparing to respond to emergency situations in which large amounts of blood may be needed at next year's expo, the Shanghai Blood Administration Office completes its first citywide drill last month. [Courtesy photo]

The event, which is expected to draw up to 700,000 visitors a day, will see five medical stations made up of staff from the city's top hospitals stationed at various posts around the expo site. An additional 10 emergency teams composed of senior physicians from over 30 Shanghai hospitals will also be on stand-by.

A number of Red Cross booths will work together with city staff to ensure the safety of visitors during the expo, said Li Weiping, deputy director of the Shanghai Health Bureau.

"All staff members who will be involved in medical rescue have a good command of both English and Chinese," said Li. "Volunteers will also be on hand to help those patients who speak a foreign language (that we cannot easily translate)."

Up to 10 ambulances will be stationed at the expo site daily to immediately transport patients to hospital if needed, he added.

Meanwhile the Shanghai Blood Administration Office has formed an emergency team consisting of over 2,000 members from 19 of the city's districts and counties. In preparing to respond to emergency situations in which large amounts of blood may be needed, it completed its first citywide drill last month. On average the team was successful in collecting up to 282,200 ml of blood within a two-hour span, gathering 34 percent more blood than the original goal set by health authorities.

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"The practice has given us some useful experience for next year's expo," said Zhu Yueguo, director of the Shanghai Blood Administration Office. "It has also helped the city meet its need for blood, especially Type A and Type O as these have been in urgent need since this summer."

The city's 100 emergency medical teams have also been given additional professional training to help guarantee things go smoothly during the expo period.

As a final measure, the bureau has outlined standards for food safety. Protocols for managing infectious diseases are in the pipeline.