Another 60 million yuan (about US$7.23 million) has been earmarked to subsidize SARS-fighting operations in four designated areas.

The National Headquarters for Prevention and Control of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) announced the expenditureon Saturday.

The increased funding came from the 240 million yuan (28.92 million US dollars) set aside earlier by central finance to support SARS-combating operations in China's 24 central and western provinces and autonomous regions.

The four areas to benefit are Hebei, Shanxi provinces, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.

The special funding, which was allocated on April 29, will be used to cover the cost of SARS treatment for needy patients and for the purchase of medical equipment.

Shanxi and Inner Mongolia will receive 20 million yuan (about 2.41 million US dollars) each, while Hebei and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps will be allotted 10 million yuan (about 1.21 million US dollars) each.

(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2003)