The Ministry of Health has begun an emergency contingency plan. Medical workers from several provinces are being sent in, and equipment and medicine are also on the way.

The Ministry of Health has mobilized more than 1,000 experienced medical workers from the capital's best hospitals. They'll be sent to Wenchuan County in different groups.

Vice Minister of Health Chen Xiaohong said, "A medical team of more than 100 staff sent by the ministry has arrived in the disaster-hit areas. Blood for 4,000 people is also ready for departure. Neighboring provinces and the People's Liberation Army have also dispatched medical workers to help."

The Vice Minister says some 1,500 medical staff are now on the scene. He stressed the importance of preventing possible epidemics.

Vice Minister of Health Chen Xiaohong said, "Disease control staff will soon arrive. We must ensure the cleanliness of the food people eat. Drinking water must be disinfected."

Neighboring provinces have been mobilized to send more ambulances to have enough on hand when medical workers arrive.

The Ministry of Health is also making a nationwide appeal for blood donors.

(CCTV May 14, 2008)