Government Foots Hospital Bills
Local Governments are to Pay Medical Bills for Injured Quake Victims

         By Li Fangfang    

"When the earthquake struck, I was still in bed. She just returned home, only to be hit by a collapsing wall," 19-year-old Wang Jiaoxiong recalled the moment that his mother was injured.

As soon as Wang realized that his mother was buried in ruins, he dug her out. Wang's mother suffered injuries to her head and feet and was sent to the Ya'an People's Hospital in Sichuan Province on April 20.

However, Wang isn't worried about medical expenses. The hospital has not charged Wang's family a cent for treating his mother. According to the hospital, injured quake victims only need to provide necessary information, and local governments will reimburse the hospital for medical expenses.

Ma Shengdong, the doctor in charge of treating Wang's mother, said that in addition to physical injuries, victims usually suffer from psychological trauma. He said that the hospital has set up a psychological therapeutic group to counsel victims and alleviate their fears.

Nineteen-year-old Wang Jiaoxiong is in a hospital on April 21 to take care of his mother, who was injured during the earthquake in Lushan County, Sichuan Province (WA CHUNFANG)

Wang Jiaoxiong's mother (sitting) receives treatment in the emergency ward of Ya'an People's Hospital on April 21. Wang's sister (first from left) combs her mother's hair (WA CHUNFANG)

     

Doctor Ma Shengdong (first from right) at Ya'an People's Hospital briefs reporters on the conditions of patients on April 21 (SHI GANG)

                                                                                                                                                                                                 (Reporting from Ya'an City, Sichuan Province)  

         (Source: Beijing Review)