Medical experts to Italy pose for a group photo before departure in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, March 25, 2020. A team of 14 medical experts from eastern China's Fujian Province departed on a chartered flight to Italy on Wednesday morning to aid the European country's fight against the COVID-19 outbreak. Previously, China had sent two medical groups with a total of 22 people along with more than 20 tonnes of medical supplies to support Italy's epidemic fight. [Xinhua/Wei Peiquan]

Given that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading across the world, China steps up exchanges and cooperation with other countries in epidemic response and pledged continuous assistance to the best of China's ability.  

The combat against the COVID-19 10,000 kilometers away in Italy is intense. Following the first and second medical expert teams, the third anti-epidemic medical expert team composed of 14 members, organized by China's National Health Commission, flew from Fuzhou, Southeast China's Fujian Province, to Milan, in a bid to aid the country's fight against the COVID-19, on March 25.

"We are honored to be given the task assigned by our country, and we will do our best to help the Italian people tide over the difficulties," said Huang Yu, Member of the Executive Committee of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and head of the medical expert team. Huang, head of grassroots health department of Fujian Health Commission, has won many honorary titles at national and provincial levels while working in Fujian Province. 

The expert team has assisted mainly in the Tuscany Region of Italy under the leadership of the local Chinese Embassy. They have exchanged experience with local medics and experts and provided advices on epidemic prevention, diagnosis and treatment in light of the actual situation. 

They have also publicized prevention and control knowledge and measures among the local China-founded institutions, overseas Chinese and Chinese students studying in Italy, and provided them with necessary protective items and offer health guidance and assistance in accordance with local laws and regulations.

The experts of the third team with five women members, were selected from various hospitals in Fujian Province, including Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Fuzhou Pulmonary Hospital of Fujian and Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Fujian Province. 

They specialize in the areas including epidemiology, cardiovascular internal medicine, respiratory internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and other medical domain.

Medical experts to Italy prepare to board a plane in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, March 25, 2020. A team of 14 medical experts from eastern China's Fujian Province departed on a chartered flight to Italy on Wednesday morning to aid the European country's fight against the COVID-19 outbreak. Previously, China had sent two medical groups with a total of 22 people along with more than 20 tonnes of medical supplies to support Italy's epidemic fight. [Xinhua/Wei Peiquan]

(Source: Xinhua and China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China)