HEALTH CARE, SUPPLIES FROM S'PORE AND INDONESIAN NAVIES

On the Indonesian island of Pulau Belitung, where comprehensive health care is a 45-minute plane ride away, having easy access to medical facilities and expertise is a boon to the locals.

Belitung residents benefited from a socio-civic programme conducted by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) on the island from 11 to 17 Oct.

Codenamed Surya Bhaskara Jaya (SBJ), the programme involved 200 RSN personnel partnering TNI-AL counterparts to provide social assistance and primary health and dental care to the locals.

Doctors from both forces also performed surgeries on board the RSN Landing Ship Tank RSS Endurance and the TNI-AL hospital ship KRI Suharso.

Military Expert 2 Jayanthi commented on her experience as part of the medical team: "The patients gave me a lot of smiles, a lot of 'thank you's, and said that they really appreciate the help we've rendered to them, so I'm delighted to be of help to them."

During SBJ, RSN personnel distributed essential food items comprising rice, sugar, salt and cooking oil, as well as educational materials to the Belitung residents. They also worked with TNI-AL personnel to carry out repair and restoration works in the villages.

Concluding the programme, Colonel (COL) Tan Kai Cheong, Commander, 3rd Flotilla, who was the SBJ Task Force Commander, said: "We have been doing this for many years, and we hope that we will continue to be invited by TNI-AL to participate in this very meaningful activity."

The RSN has been taking part in SBJ at the invitation of the TNI-AL since 1997. The programme highlights the excellent ties between the two navies, which regularly engage in professional exchanges and bilateral exercises.