A Nanping medical team from Fujian province poses for a photo before heading to Wuhan, Hubei province, to help fight the novel coronavirus on Feb 4. [Photo/chinashadt.com]

Wu Meilian, head nurse of the intensive care unit at the Wuyishan Public General Hospital in Wuyishan city, East China's Fujian province, is now a member of the second medical team sent from Fujian to Hubei province to work on the frontlines in the fight against the novel coronavirus in Wuhan.

On Feb 4, Fujian sent 102 medical workers to help fight the novel coronavirus epidemic in the city of Wuhan, the city hardest hit by the epidemic in China, and Wu was appointed director of the Nanping medical team.

It was midnight when Wu and her staff members arrived in Wuhan, which has been much quieter than usual over the past few months. After realizing how dire the city's situation was, Wu made up her mind to stay with Wuhan people and try her best to protect people's wellbeing, in a sense, at whatever cost.

After two days of professional training, Wu was appointed as acting head nurse and took over two treatment areas in a mobile cabin hospital on Feb 7.

Wu and her colleagues usually start working at 8 am, and after putting on their disposable protective clothing, they are set for hard day's work.

They don't drink or eat while wearing their protective clothing, and almost everyone wears adult diapers and tries to drink and eat as little as possible during their shift. When they take off their protective suit, they are dripping with sweat.

It usually takes a full half hour to take off the protective suits, a process consisting of 27 steps, during which hands must be sanitized 12 different times.

After a shift, everyone's faces have deep imprints from their masks and goggles.

"To be honest, the imprints on my face and nose are painful but worth it," said Wu.

"I can do my job very efficiently now that I'm used to it. In addition to daily medical treatment and nursing duties, I also have time to help my patients change their bed sheets and clean the wards," added Wu.

Some patients are suffering from emotional distress triggered by the novel coronavirus outbreak, and Wu and her team are serving as their psychologists, providing counseling services and emotional support.

"We are warriors dressed in white. I firmly believe that with the concerted efforts of our country and our people, we will be able to beat this epidemic," said Wu with determination in her voice.

Medical workers in protective suits provide medical consultation services for patients. [Photo/chinashadt.com]

Wu and her colleagues dance to lighten the mood at a mobile cabin hospital in Wuhan. [Photo/chinashadt.com]