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SINGAPORE: A 54-strong Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) medical team has started treating patients on the earthquake-hit Indonesian island of Sumatra a day after their arrival.
The team arrived in Indonesia on Saturday night in four Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 aircraft, with medical supplies as well as tentages and equipment.
They set up an Accident and Emergency clinic and an operating theatre at the Pariaman Public Hospital, with the help of the Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI) and authorities.
Pariaman is located 50 kilometres north of Padang, a devastated city of one million at the centre of rescue efforts.
Last Wednesday, a powerful 7.6-magnitude quake rocked Sumatra island in the west of the country, burying thousands and devastating the city of Padang and surrounding villages.
The SAF medical team, led by LTC (Dr) Mohamad Rosman, comprises two orthopaedic surgeons, two general surgeons, an accident and emergency specialist, two anaesthetists and three general practitioners.
They have been treating patients with injuries ranging from fractures to wound infections. A total of 19 accident and emergency cases have been treated and five surgeries performed.
Describing the team's effort in treating the earthquake victims, LTC (Dr) Rosman said: "We have been able to set up the medical facility very quickly with the help of the TNI and the Indonesian authorities. Since this morning, we have been seeing a progressive increase in patients arriving at the hospital. The patients have been very appreciative of what we have done for them."
- CNA/ir
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