Beijing hospitals continue caring for fire victims

A total of 39 victims from the deadly fire at Beijing Changfeng Hospital are receiving treatment at nine medical institutions throughout Beijing, and another three have already been discharged from hospitals, Li Ang, deputy head of the Beijing Health Commission, said at a news conference on Wednesday noon.

Experts from departments - like the intensive care unit, respiratory medicine and cardiology - of some of Beijing's top hospitals gathered to formulate personalized therapies for each individual, he said.

After the accident happened on Tuesday afternoon, about 300 medical workers and 29 ambulances were sent to the scene. A total of 71 patients were evacuated and transferred, and 29 have been announced as dead by 9 am Wednesday.

Among the 17 males and 22 females still under treatment, three are in critical condition, 18 in severe situations and 18 in stable physical condition. They are 29 patients previously hospitalized at the Beijing Changfeng Hospital, five family members of patients, two nursing workers and three medical workers, Li said.

Li said the commission will pay close attention to their situations and allocate medical resources to offer the most effective medical treatment.

The Fengtai district has set up special groups to guide the hospital to contact family members of the patients, learn about their needs, offer psychological counseling and judicial help, and also guarantee their accommodations in Beijing, said Li Zongrong, deputy head of the district at the conference.

By now, all relatives have been contacted and more follow-up work is under way, he added.