Makeshift hospital builds study and reading rooms

The makeshift hospital at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai is committed to providing more guaranteed and diversified living needs for its patients.

In the hospital, study rooms and reading corners have been set up to guarantee students’ needs and enrich patients’ daily lives.

The study room is equipped with facilities such as tables and chairs, lamps, power supplies and free Wi-Fi networks, enabling printing and online learning for students. In addition, the medical staff has decorated the room to encourage the students, especially those about to take the national college entrance examination.

“The study room is mainly used for school-age students to take online classes,” said Zhang Xi, a doctor in the makeshift hospital. “It’s difficult for students to focus in such a noisy environment, so we are providing a relatively quiet and separate space for them.”

A handicraft workshop, makeshift kindergarten, and baby care room have been established in the hospital for preschool children. Medical workers organized activities such as reading, painting, games, and science demonstrations offered by preschool teachers who are also patients.

The children draw pictures of the medical staff and volunteers on the wallboard to express their gratitude while some of them said they wanted to be medical staff when they grew up.

“They see you and want to be you, which is the greatest spiritual affirmation of our work,” said Tang Jie, a nurse in the hospital.

Meanwhile, the hospital has set up many reading corners. Most of the books are donated by the staff to help patients relieve psychological pressure and enrich their spiritual lives.

As the largest makeshift hospital in Shanghai, it provides nearly 50,000 beds to treat mild cases and asymptomatic carriers. The hospital has received and treated more than

130,000 patients since it was put into use on April 9 and has discharged over 90,000 patients.

“It’s not easy for us to guarantee all the patients in this makeshift hospital, which has a very large area with a large number of patients,” said Wang Dongguang, deputy director of the makeshift hospital.

“But we adhere to the patient-centered concept and encourage medical staff to carry out more heartwarming activities in the hospital. Meanwhile, we have established a psychological service platform and held open lectures on topics such as oral health to make patients’ lives more fulfilling and convenient,” Wang added.