Over 23,000 patients treated at Malaysian field hospital in Cox's Bazar

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- More than 23,000 patients have been treated at the Malaysian field hospital in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, since December 2017.

Joint Forces Commander Vice Admiral Datuk Syed Zahiruddin Putra Syed Osman said 754 live-saving emergency and elective surgeries had also been carried out at the field hospital, besides 59 deliveries of babies and 1,813 dental treatments.

“All the staff have also displayed high level of commitment in discharging their duties and this is indeed a remarkable success for the Malaysian Defence Forces (ATM),” he told reporters after welcoming the return of the Starlight-1 Operation Team at Wisma Transit here today.

The team is the first ATM team to take over the operation of the hospital that was set up by the Health Ministry since February this year.

The Starlight-2 Operation Team comprising 56 experts and medical staff had begun leaving for Cox’s Bazar in stages from Aug 23 to continue the voluntary mission.

Syed Zahiruddin Putra said throughout the operation, the team had also received cooperation from various international agencies and non-governmental organisations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Medical Relief Society (Mercy) Malaysia.

He said he would also propose for all staff involved in the field hospital’s operation to be conferred an award as an appreciation of their deeds and commitment.

He also welcomed the proposal for the operation of the field hospital in Cox’s Bazar be extended for another year.

The hospital is scheduled to end the operation on Dec 31 this year.

Meanwhile, Capt Dr Dalilah Diana Al-Aliy Mamu, the only dentist in the Starlight-1 Operation Team, said communication problem was among the biggest challenges faced by ATM doctors and medical staff in providing their service to the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar.

The dentist said despite having engaged the services of an interpreter, there were times when the refugees failed to understand what she said.

“Sometimes I have to pull a tooth out, but they just won’t let me because they thought it was still ok...it was hard to explain to them, sometimes it even caused a major misunderstanding,” he told reporters at the team’s homecoming ceremony.

The mother of two said she treated between 20 to 25 dental patients on daily basis.

“I had two assistants and every day we provided dental services not only to the refugees, but also to the staff and volunteers there,” she explained.

-- BERNAMA