Beijing: China on Thursday promised it would provide free medical treatment to those injured in Monday's devastating quake that claimed over 15,000 lives and rendered tens and thousands homeless.

"Medical expenses shall not be inflicted on them, and the government has the responsibility to provide them better medical service," Vice Health Minister Gao Qiang said Thursday.

The government will "spare no effort" in dealing with the bodies of the victims and providing medical treatment for the injured, the minister said.

He noted that some Chinese were not under the purview of country's medical insurance system, which still needed improvement.

The minister also underlined that the government has taken timely rescue and relief measures in the quake-hit areas.

 

Source : IANS