BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhuanet) -- China's capital is planning to overhaul its emergency medical services for the Olympics it will host in 2008.

    According to sources at a Sino-French first-aid forum held here last Sunday, Beijing will spend 400 million US dollars on upgrading its medical infrastructure and renewing its medical equipment between now and 2008. Emergency service outlets will be arranged in 132 communities in the nation's capital, the sources said.

    Beijing Emergency Medical Center will serve as the core of the first-aid provision and command system. To perform the function, the center will add 400 new ambulances to its first-aid vehicle fleet and begin to provide helicopter-based emergency medical services, center officials announced.

    Sporting venues, major media centers and the 2008 Olympic Village will be fitted with medical equipment, which can be used round-the-clock and for emergency service. Meanwhile, a special mechanism will be built to conveniently transfer sick and injured athletes abroad, sources at the forum said. Enditem