The STAR Composite Index, which reflects the performance of stocks on China's sci-tech innovation board, closed 1.34 percent lower at 2,486.64 points on Wednesday.
The STAR 50 Index, which tracks the 50 largest stocks listed on the board that also meet certain liquidity requirements, closed 2.48 percent lower at 2,153.04 points.
The sci-tech innovation board, commonly known as the STAR Market, was inaugurated in June 2019 at Shanghai Stock Exchange. It is designed to support companies in the high-tech and strategic emerging sectors.
China's STAR Composite Index closes lower Wednesday
The earthquakes that struck Venezuela have placed immense pressure on the country's medical system, with hospitals continuously overwhelmed by injured patients.
At Domingo Luciani Hospital in the nation's capital Caracas, medical staff are working around the clock, yet long-standing sanctions have caused shortages of medical supplies, increasing the difficulty of treatment efforts.
Over the past decade, affected by multiple factors including economic crisis, brain drain and sanctions, Venezuela's public healthcare system has faced problems such as aging equipment, insufficient drug supplies, and limited infrastructure investment.
The recent earthquakes have further exposed the medical system's vulnerability in the face of major disasters.
"We received a large number of wounded at our hospital after this severe earthquake, and medical supplies are tight. We are very fortunate to have received a large amount of medical supplies donated by the public and the civil sector," said a doctor of the hospital.
The hospital has begun implementing a priority-guarantee system for medical supplies, with limited resources being allocated to the treatment of critically injured patients.
At the same time, days of high-intensity work have left medical staff physically and mentally drained.
"Now the medical staff at our hospital are working in shifts to ensure 24-hour treatment for disaster victims. After many days of high-intensity work, the medical staff are very tired. I also try my best to arrange reasonable rest for everyone," said Moroni Rosales, deputy administrative director of Domingo Luciani Hospital.
As of Tuesday, the death toll from the two powerful earthquakes that recently struck Venezuela has risen to 1,943, with more than 10,000 injured.
Hospitals struggle to treat surge of wounded after Venezuela earthquake
