SAF BRINGS MEDICAL AID TO VILLAGERS' DOORSTEP

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) medical team in Indonesia set up a mobile clinic in front of a cemetery in the village of Panjang Rejo on 1 Jun, perhaps a fitting reminder that, despite the death and destruction around, life prevails.

Panjang Rejo in the Pundong area is about 18 km from the epicentre of Saturday's 6.3 magnitude deadly earthquake.

Within 30 minutes of the set-up, more than 40 villagers - from worried mothers with crying toddlers in their arms to the frail elderly with aches in their backs - had arrived at the clinic on motorcycles, bicycles or on foot.

They crowded the temporary shelter manned by three SAF medical personnel, one Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) personnel, and five of their Indonesian counterparts.

Together, the team worked tirelessly through the day to provide primary health care services to the inhabitants of this remote village.

Captain (CPT) (Dr) Jonah Kua said this was precisely the objective of this mobile clinic - to bring immediate health care to victims of the earthquake who may face difficulty getting medical assistance.

He said: "After the earthquake, many roads have become inaccessible even for the residents here. Hence, they are unable to make it to the field hospitals and other medical centres that have been set up."

"But now we can come to them, especially for those who are immobile with fractures, we can treat them and if necessary, evacuate them."

The Medical Officer added that, thanks to the cooperation of the TNI soldiers, his team had been able to reach out to many more isolated areas. And if necessary, the SAF medical team could even make house calls.

Such was the case for Ms Fitriyafatahyati who was in great pain after rubble fell on her right leg during the earthquake.

Although her worried husband sent her to eight different medical centres and hospitals to seek treatment, the two were turned away each time.

This morning, he travelled 15 minutes on his motorcycle to the SAF mobile clinic to specially request the SAF personnel to visit his home as his wife had increasing difficulty moving from the shelter that his family had set up outside of their home.

Together with the nursing officer and two SCDF personnel, CPT (Dr) Kua did a quick diagnosis of Ms Fitriyafatahyati's condition and decided it was wiser to send the 23-year-old to the field hospital for a more in-depth examination, and possibly an evacuation to the Bantul General Hospital.

Ms Sumiyem was another villager who benefited from the arrival of the mobile clinic. Ms Sumiyem was trapped under rubble when her house collapsed after the earthquake. Thankfully, she was quickly rescued and did not suffer any life-threatening injuries.

Nonetheless, she has had a nagging pain in her right side since the natural disaster, and was glad that CPT (Dr) Kua was able to examine her.

Speaking through a translator when she was getting some painkillers at the make-shift dispensary, Ms Sumiyem said she was glad to see the SAF's presence in her village. Cradling her child in her arms, she said: "I feel better now, and my child is also ok. It is good that the SAF doctors are here to provide quick help for the villagers."

Indonesian Minister of Industry, Mr Fahmi Idris, thanked Singapore for the assistance rendered to the victims of last Saturday's earthquake.

Speaking to the media during a visit to the village of Panjang Rejo on 1 Jun, the minister said Singaporeans were "organised", and were helping in both medical aid and the distribution of supplies.

He also recalled Singapore's help during 2004's tsunami. He said: "Singapore is our friend. We have a good experience from the tsunami. The second day after the tsunami, a team from Singapore was already there!"

Mr Fahmi said this time round, the earthquake was a smaller natural disaster compared to the tsunami. Nonetheless, he is heartened that once again, Singaporeans are ready to help their neighbours.

"I do appreciate what the government and the people of Singapore are doing," he added.

>> Visit the Central Java Earthquake Relief Efforts Microsite for more information