Shanghai medical experts have stressed the importance of the timely use of oxygen therapy in treating COVID-19 patients when sharing their experiences with counterparts in Romania.

Yang Meiping / SHINE

Shanghai medical experts have stressed the importance of the timely use of oxygen therapy in treating COVID-19 patients when sharing their experiences with counterparts in Romania.

The three-hour video dialogue was organized by the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office, Shanghai Health Commission and the Chinese embassy in Romania.

Shen Yinzhong and Qiu Zhongmin, two experts in dealing with COVID-19 in Shanghai, shared their knowledge about medication, treatment and diagnosis with nearly 100 counterparts from more than 30 hospitals and research institutions in the European country. They also answered questions raised by Romanian staff. Romania has reported 8,418 infections and 421 deaths to date.

Qiu, director of the department of respiratory and critical care medicine at Tongji Hospital, said most deaths from coronavirus in Shanghai were due to organ failure caused by insufficient oxygen supply.

He said the early use of oxygen therapy has been proved effective. Mechanical ventilation was unsatisfactory to patients in extremely critical condition.

“We should try our best to reduce the possibility of such a critical condition that extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation must be used,” he said.

He also stressed some factors medical staff should pay attention to in preventing mild cases developing into severe or critical conditions. People aged above 65 and those with underlying diseases require more attention.

Patients suffering from leukaemia or cancer should suspend chemotherapy when undergoing treatment for COVID-19 as chemotherapy may affect their immune systems.

Shen, director of Department of Medical Administration, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, stressed medical staff must be well trained on how to prevent exposure to the virus before entering wards.

“In Shanghai, our doctors and nurses adapt to the ward environment one day before entry," he said. "And there are supervisors who ensure they follow the correct way of putting on and taking off the protective gear."

He stressed wearing full personal protective equipment is the most effective way to prevent infection.

Andrei Baciu, the Romanian State Secretary, Ministry of Health, expressed his thanks to the Shanghai experts.

Yang Meiping / SHINE