SAF medical team sent to help Padang quake victims awarded medals
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 25 November 2009 2319 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Members of the Singapore Armed Forces medical team sent to help victims of the Padang earthquake have been awarded the Overseas Service Medal.

The 54-man team worked with local hospitals and performed over a 100 surgeries during their two-week mission in Pariaman last month.

They also transported food, blankets and medical supplies for victims.

Medals were also given to the six SAF servicemen sent to Bamiyan province in Afghanistan in April.

There they helped build a new Paediatric and Women's Ward for a local hospital.

They were among 64 servicemen who were awarded in all.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said such operations reflect the growing range of activities undertaken by the SAF. He said Singapore will continue to provide support to countries where it can.

He added that the SAF will be deploying a 13-man medical team to a field hospital in Tarin Kowt, in Afghanistan, from December.

The four-month operation will include emergency medical support, primary healthcare and pre- and post-operative medical care to the International Security Assistance Force, Afghan National Security Forces, as well as the Afghan locals. - CNA/vm