The Indonesian Medical Team Is Starting To Implement Earthquake Victim Health In Turkey's Hassa City

Indonesian medical emergency team medical services for residents affected by the earthquake at the Indonesian Field Hospital in Hassa City, Hatay Province, Turkey, Thursday (16/2/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Emergency Medical Team (EMT) has started providing health services to earthquake victims in Hassa City, Hatay Province, Turkey.

A member of a team of doctors from the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC) Dr. Corona said that since the Indonesian Field Hospital (RSLI) operated on Thursday (16/2), 23 patients had access to medical services until 21.00 local time.

"Currently, medical services are still limited to outpatient care. However, other facilities have been installed and waiting for approval from the Hassa City health office. The field operating room has been installed with the capacity of one operation with general anaesthesia or GA," said dr. Corona was quoted by ANTARA, Friday 17 February.

Doctor Corona added that the room can also carry out 1 operation with local anesthesia or regional anesthesia simultaneously.

The operation of the RSLI is highly expected by the City Government of Hassa after the M7.8 earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023. The day before, Wednesday (15/2), the Mayor of Hassa Osman Acar said the patient would be directed to the Indonesian EMT medical service.

Patients of mothers giving birth and residents who are traumatized by the earthquake will be diverted here (RSLI)," he said while in the field hospital.

The RSLI operated by EMT has several facilities, such as waiting rooms, triage, operations, pharmaceuticals to tents to rest medical personnel and volunteers. A total of 27 tents were installed on an area of about 2 hectares in the Hassa area. A number of these tents were contributed by BNPB, Ministry of Health, TNI, Polri, PMI and MDMC.

Hassa is one of the cities severely affected by the M7.8 earthquake. The city has a population of about 40,000 people.

Governor of Hatay Ziya Polad said the existence of Indonesian medical assistance is expected to ease health services at two hospitals in his area. He added that one of the health facilities could not function the operating space needed for handling earthquake residents or other patients in his city.

This type 2 EMT owned by Indonesia is coordinated by the Ministry of Health. A total of 119 personnel who are members of EMT consist of the Ministry of Health, TNI, Polri, PAEI, PMI, MDMC, Dompet Dhuafa and medical professional associations.