Hospitals in the Chinese capital need more specialised medical equipment such as ventilators and ambulances if they are to properly combat SARS, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said this morning.
"There is a need for more specialised equipment such as masks, gloves, ventilatory equipment, protective gear and ambulances to transport patients between hospitals," said WHO epidemiologist Dr James Maguire after visiting one Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) hospital.
"There are indications that other hospitals in the city are in need of more or better supplies".
Dr Maguire made the comments after touring the Beijing Xiong Ke Hospital which the WHO website said was opening a new wing with 100 more beds for SARS patients today.
With 235 beds all occupied by SARS patients, the hospital already has the largest number of SARS patients in the country, according to Dr Maguire, who praised hospital staff.
"Their esprit de corps is excellent," he said, adding that some staff had worked for 45 days without seeing their families.Yesterday, Beijing's acting mayor Mr Wang Qishan warned the SARS situation in the capital remained "severe" and that a shortage of hospital beds was preventing patients getting timely treatment.
With 100 or so new confirmed cases of SARS being added every day, Beijing's healthcare system is now stretched to the limit.
AFP