Malaysian army field hospital treated 164 Turkey quake patients so far

GAZIANTEP (Turkiye): The Malaysian Field Hospital (HMM) operating in Celikhan, Aditaman located about 152 km from here has treated a total of 164 patients since it opened on Feb 14.

The Operations Commander of Op Starlight 2, Brigadier-General Datuk Dr Amran Amir Hamzah said the extremely cold weather that reached -10 degrees Celsius at night presented its own challenges to the Malaysian Army (ATM) running the operation of the field hospital.

However, he said it did not affect the motivation of Malaysian army personnel to provide the best in medical services to Turkiye citizens who were injured in the earthquake on Feb 6.

According to him, patients who come to HMM are adult men and women, expectant mothers and children.

"Medical services provided at HMM include outpatient treatment, maternity and gynecology, paediatrics, general surgery, orthopedic and dental.

"The Turkish government and the local volunteers and residents here have provided excellent cooperation," he said when contacted by Bernama here yesterday.

Dr Amran said HMM's initial plan was to operate in Celikhan for six weeks with a total of 106 officers and personnel.

Op Starlight 2 was activated after the Turkish government requested help from Malaysia for its earthquake victims.

-- BERNAMA