Nine Days Of Operation, Indonesian Field Hospital Serves Nearly 2,000 Turkey Earthquake Patients

Impact of the Turkey earthquake in Hatay. (Wikimedia Commons/VOA/Hilmi Hacaloğlu)

JAKARTA - Around 1,928 post-earthquake victims in Turkey from various locations around Hassa City, Hatay, have received health services from field hospitals operated by EMT Indonesia (Ina-EMT).

From an estimated capacity of around 150 people per day, Ina-EMT receives around 200 patients daily, above the estimated capacity.

Even though the hospital officially has operating hours, in practice the hospital also accepts all patients who come outside of operating hours.

This allows patients from more remote locations and patients who work during the day in emergency response activities to receive health services.

"Patients' interest is very high. It seems they are comfortable seeking treatment at Ina-EMT. Stories about the convenience of service at Ina-EMT are spreading by word of mouth," said the Vice Chairperson of Ina-EMT dr. Corona Rintawan, in a statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara, Friday 24 February.

"70 percent of patients come to Ina-EMT with complaints of respiratory problems. Maybe due to weather, shelter conditions, and dust due to the process of dismantling debris which is still ongoing," added dr. Coronas.

In addition to providing medical services, he continued, Ina-EMT also provides post-disaster mental health (psychosocial) services at the Ina-EMT location and picks up balls to villages around the field hospital location.

The target of mental health services carried out by Ina-EMT includes adults and children.

"We meet many survivors who experience symptoms as a result of acute stress caused by the earthquake. Especially after the 6.4 SR earthquake a few days ago," said dr. Era Catur Prasetya, Ina-EMT mental health service doctor.

Ina-EMT started operating a field hospital in Hassa City, Hatay, since February 15, 2023. Ina-EMT is one of 9 field hospitals from various countries operating in Hatay Province, the area most affected by the 7.8 SR earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023.

Apart from being widely known by the local community for the variety of services provided, including mental health services and individual logistical assistance from BNPB, Ina-EMT is also widely known among the surrounding community for its friendly service.

"Residents always say that Indonesian hospitality is felt at Ina-EMT," said Ondy Rahmat Mulia, field coordinator at the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara who coordinates all activities of the Indonesian Humanitarian Mission in Hatay.