A doctor from Southwest China's Guizhou province is now volunteering to work on the frontline of the battle against the novel coronavirus in Central China's Hubei province.

Zheng Jinding went home for his father's funeral on Jan 11 in Yangxin county, Huangshi city. He was then stranded there because of the outbreak.

As a doctor with the infectious disease department of Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Zheng applied to Yangxin County People's Hospital to join their work on prevention and treatment of the novel coronavirus on Jan 29.

The next day he started working at the hospital's isolation zone, according to Guizhou TV.

"I get support from my family to accept the tasks at any time. I want to contribute my strength when the people in my hometown need it," he said.

Zheng, who has been working at the infectious disease department of Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital for five years, felt at this critical moment he should take his responsibility as a doctor to save more patients.

Like Zheng, many doctors and nurses from around the country are volunteering to participate in epidemic prevention work, giving up their vacation and the opportunity to reunite with family during Spring Festival.