More than 4,000 medical workers are racing against time to treat and offer other medical services to victims in the quake-hit areas, and another 2,500 medical staff will get to the disaster zones today (Wednesday).

On Tuesday, about 540 medical workers from other regions of the country got to the diasater zones, Mao Qun'an, spokesman of the Ministry of Health, told China Daily website reporters at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport May 14, 2008.

"The medical teams include 1,500 from the military," Mao said.

Another 2,500 medical staffs, along with 420 of ambulances, will arrive at earthquake-stricken areas Wednesday, said the spokesman.

Mao said Vice-minister Wang Guoqiang and several other leaders with the Ministry of Health had arrived in Chengdu to help rescue work.

A relief coordination group has been set up to guide and direct medical treatment and other emergency rescue operations, according to Mao.

"Two field hospitals are to be erected near the epicenter in Wenchuan," said Mao. "Nationwide donations of blood have been sent to the zone for victims in need in time but now we are in urgent need for type AB blood."

China Daily website reporters, on route to the hardest-hit regions, met Mao at Chengdu airport. They are trying to get to the disaster zones as early as possible.

(Chinadaily.com.cn May 15, 2008)