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Edited by Zhong Youyang. Subtitles by Wang Xinzhou and Andy Boreham.
A team member from Huashan Hospital hugs her family before leaving for Wuhan on Sunday.
Two medical teams left Shanghai forWuhan, the heart of the coronavirus epidemic, on Sunday.
The 214-staff team from Huashan Hospital and 136-staff team from Ruijin Hospital were established under emergency orders on Saturday night.
Huashan Hospital's team will take over the intensive care unit atWuhanTongji Hospital’s Guanggu branch.
“Taking charge of the ICU is no easy task, so we must send our most experienced doctors and nurses,” said Dr Xu Wendong, Huashan’s vice president.
The team will start work as soon as they arrive in Wuhan, hospital officials said.
Doctors have their heads shaved before leaving for Wuhan to reduce infection risk.
“We received an order at 8pm on Saturday to establish a 130-member team for Wuhan. Many staff from different departments asked to take part,” said Dr Hu Weiguo, Ruijin’s vice president and head of the team. “As a doctor with about 30 years experience, standing at the frontline of coronavirus control is my duty, as well as that of all my colleagues.”
Many staff are leaving their families behind.
Ruijin's Dr Xue Kai's wife is scheduled to deliver their baby this month, but he volunteered nonetheless.
“Though I will not be present at the birth of my baby, I will name it when I return after our victory against the virus,” he said.
Eight ambulance drivers from Shanghai Medical Emergency Center are also on standby to go to Wuhan.
The first batch of two medics left for Wuhan on Sunday morning with the remainder awaiting orders, said Zhu Qinzhong, director of Shanghai Medical Emergency Center.
A team member bids farewell to his colleagues atRuijin Hospital on Sunday.
Staff at on standby at Shanghai Medical Emergency Center prepare protective equipment while awaiting orders.
