Designer of Beijing's Xiaotangshan Hospital advises other hospitals in coronavirus battle

(ECNS)— Wuhan's Huoshenshan Hospital, which was modeled on Beijing’s SARS treatment hospital, started admitting patients Tuesday after only 10 days of construction.

Huang Xiqiu, chief designer of Beijing’s Xiaotangshan Hospital, offered the original design made 17 years ago to the building team in Wuhan.

The model hospital was built in seven days in a Beijing suburb in 2003 and treated about a seventh of all SARS patients in China, with none of the 1,383 medical staff infected.

Huang said their experience offered an effective example of relieving pressure on a city’s medical facilities.

Huang offered advice on the design of Huoshenshan Hospital and gave technical support during the building process along with his colleagues.

The distance between the buildings at Huoshenshan Hospital was widened to 18 meters, compared to the 12 meters of Xiaotangshan Hospital, Huang said, adding that he also suggested a better sewage treatment system.

Huang has been writing a guideline for emergency facility renovation. He hopes to help similar hospitals in other parts of the country fight the coronavirus.