Doctors and nurses work day and night at hospital in Chengdu

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Doctors and nurses are working day and night to treat the injured and save lives after the quake.

Emotions are still raw. Fear, anxiety, and also, hope.

As rescue work continues in the quake zone, 150 kilometers away, doctors, nurses and volunteers at Chengdu’s West China Hospital have spent a sleepless night, the first of many to come. This is western China’s top hospital, and is playing a key role in treating the injured from the quake zone. They have received a hundred and sixty patients over night.

Most have broken bones. But even so, orthopedic surgeons, as well as neurologists are all on duty. A timely diagnosis has to be, a thorough one as well.

The hospital has put aside 200 beds for patients from the quake zone. Doctors conducted 20 operations overnight. They expect to receive many more patients as rescue efforts continue.

Preparations are already being made. Temporary clinics and treatment rooms are being set up. Another 3 hundred beds will be made available. Emergency treatment specialists from Beijing are also heading here.

Many patients are worried about the high cost of the treatment. But the Chinese government has launched a level one emergency response. Patients will be treated for free.

Volunteers are waiting to receive more patients once they arrive. Just like the rescuers in the quake zone, they are also running against time.