NUMBER OF QUAKE VICTIMS TREATED BY SAF MEDICAL TEAM QUADRUPLES

It was an adrenalin-charged day at the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) medical facility in Pariaman, Indonesia, on 5 Oct, as the medical team began their second day of operations in aid of victims hit by the earthquake that shook Indonesia on 30 Sep.

With casualties thronging the SAF's Accident and Emergency (A & E) clinic at Pariaman Public Hospital from 8am, it was non-stop action for the medical team who performed nine surgeries and attended to 80 A & E patients throughout the day - almost four times the number of patients they saw on their first day of operations.

Combining this with the 19 A & E cases and five surgeries performed on 4 Oct, this brought the total number to 99 A & E cases and 14 surgeries in just two days.

Explaining the surge in the number of casualties turning up at the medical facility, Head of the surgical team, Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) (Dr) Colin Teo said: "With the opening up of many roads to the disaster-stricken areas, we see cases coming in waves whenever roads are open, and whenever transport is made available to casualties who have been stranded for the last four days."

"So most of the patients we see today are still earthquake victims, with 80 percent being orthopaedic cases, those with fractures in the thigh bones, arms, elbows and feet," he told cyberpioneer.

When asked how the team was coping with the spike in casualties seeking treatment, he explained that the they were prepared and brought adequate supplies.

"The doctors have been working on a shift system, and we have been working well with the seven medical volunteers from Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the local hospital staff," he added.

Those whom the doctors have treated, such as 75-year-old Saribanun, are on the road to recovery.

Suffering a fracture in her right hand after being hit by falling debris, Saribanun was admitted to the A & E facility on 4 Oct, where she was operated on by Major (MAJ) (Dr) Pang Hee Nee, the SAF medical team's orthopaedic surgeon.

"My mother said she's feeling better after the treatment...and the pain has been reduced," said Saribanun's daughter Lifliana.

Expressing her gratitude, she said: "I would like to thank Dr Pang, who's always smiling and reassuring my mother that she will be fine."

For related content, visit the SAF's Humanitarian Assistance for Sumatra Earthquake website, cyberpioneer Flickr gallery and cyberpioneerTV YouTube channel.