China has a timetable for rebuilding the medical care system in southwest areas hit by a massive quake last month, Health Minister Chen Zhu said on Tuesday.

Chen spoke at a meeting in Beijing attended by health department heads from across the country, which pledged to complete the reconstruction of those medical facilities by the end of this year.

The government has sent more than 10,000 medical personnel to the area, where the quake destroyed huge numbers of buildings, including many hospitals and health care stations in towns and rural regions.

"The infrastructure and basic facilities for medical care in the quake areas have been seriously damaged and many local medical personnel were killed," Chen said.

According to the timetable, all medical teams from other parts of the country should send new personnel to relieve their advance squads by the end of June.

By the end of July, basic medical care services should be available to all people living in resettlement areas and most of the quake-hit towns, the timetable said.

By the end of September, medical centers should be set up in counties and towns to provide regular health service.

By the end of December, modern buildings and basic equipment should be ready in all quake-hit areas so that medical personnel can offer indoor care.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2008)