The new and acutely infectious disease known as Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) is posing an enormous threat to the Chinese population.
The first case of SARS appeared in November in Fushan County, Guangdong
Povince in southeastern China. Little if anything was known of the
disease at the time and it spread rapidly. As many medical workers
who treated the SARS patients began to develop the same symptoms as
the patients, it was realised that the disease is highly contagious.
Strict preventive measures were put in place once the real threat
of the disease was realised world wide, however, 26 out of the total
of 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions are now reported
to have SARS cases.
Official statistics reveal that by 6 May 2003 a total of 4,409 SARS
cases have been diagnosed with 2,646 suspected cases, of these at
least 214 patients have died.
Beijing, the capital city of China, with its huge population is reported
to have the most SARS cases. By 6 May, a total of 1,960 confirmed
and 1,523 suspected cases were reported with each day bringing a further
100 cases. The surrounding cities and provinces of Tianjing, Shanxi
and Inner Mongolia also have a significant number of SARS cases.
The large numbers of people who have migrated from remote rural areas
to Guangdong, Beijing and other big cities to make a living are now
returning to their hometowns in the fear that they may contract the
disease if they stay in the cities. This is exacerbating the situation
by spreading the virus to areas that have until now remained unaffected.
Measures taken to combat the virus
- SARS patients (along with the medical workers treating them) are
put into strict isolation and particular hospitals and wards are
designated specially for treatment of SARS patients
- Waste generated by SARS patients and medical workers is strictly
isolated and specially processed
- Fever outpatient rooms are set up in hospitals in all cities throughout
China and suspected patients are isolated immediately in a separate
room for further observation
- Bedside X-ray machines are used in hospitals to X-ray fever patients
- Disinfectant is used in homes and public places at least twice
a day to sterilise the environment
- People in SARS areas are encouraged to check their temperature
every day
- People are urged to avoid public places as much as possible, but
when this is not possible, they are required to wear surgical masks
- Medical workers who treat SARS patients must wear protective suits,
surgical masks, goggles and surgical hats
- Universities, middle schools in cities are closed to outsiders
and the students are required to have meals in their own schools
- Migrant workers are required to stay where they work and not return
to their hometowns. However, those who have already returned will
be followed up to ensure they are free from the virus.
Specific difficulties confronted
One of the most important challenges is to prevent the further spread
of SARS from urban to rural areas where the population is large and
the medical facilities too poor to handle SARS cases. Many rural hospitals
or clinics lack the necessary equipment and hygienic conditions to
effectively treat more usual illnesses let alone SARS. Countrywide
there is a severe shortage of medical equipment to diagnose and treat
such a disease. Equipping the rural health clinics alone will require
substantial financial investment.
Efforts made by the government
The central, provincial and lower level governments have allocated
a total of 6,000,000,000 yuan (about
US$ 725 million) to combat SARS. The Central Government has issued
regulations that no hospitals should reject any SARS patients and
local authorities are responsible for all medical expenses for rural
and urban poor SARS patients within their own administrative areas.
No employers are allowed to lay off any suspected SARS affected person
and their salaries should be maintained while they are isolated for
further observation or medical treatment.
Most needed items
- Protective suits, surgical masks, goggles and surgical hats
- Bedside X-ray machines
- Bedside respiratory machines
- Electronic thermometers
- Thermometers
- Chlorine disinfectant
Proposed assistance from Amity
The above mentioned allocation by the government is still far from
sufficient and people from all walks of life are being called upon
to make their contribution. Amity would like to its play part by providing:
- 2,000 thermometers X 2.5 yuan = 5,000 yuan
- 150 electronic thermometers X 250 yuan = 50,000 yuan
- 2000 protective suits X 100 yuan = 200,000 yuan
- 2 bedside X-ray machines X 260,000 yuan = 520,000 yuan
- 1 respiratory machine X 220,000 yuan = 220,000 yuan
Total: 995,000 yuan (about US$120,214)
ACT Co-ordinating Office is in contact with Amity regarding a possible
appeal. We would highly appreciate indications as to your support
for any such appeal.
