Indonesia may extend emergency medical operation in Myanmar, says official
People clean debris from damaged buildings in the aftermath of an earthquake on March 28, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, April 7, 2025. -- AP Photo
JAKARTA (Bernama-ANTARA): The Indonesian Humanitarian Team Coordinator, Ary Laksmana Widjaja, hinted at the possibility of extending the Emergency Medical Team's (EMT's) assistance period for residents in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, due to the 7.7M earthquake in the region.
The Indonesian EMT's assistance is scheduled to conclude on Monday after providing 14 days of medical services in Ottara District, Naypyitaw, which was struck by the earthquake on March 28, reported ANTARA news agency.
"If the Myanmar Ministry of Health wishes to continue this cooperation, it can be discussed through bilateral channels," Widjaja noted in a statement on Monday.
According to Widjaja, Myanmar's Minister of Health, Dr Thet Khaing Win, and Naypyitaw Governor Than Tun Oo commended the Indonesian medical team's services to residents in the affected area.
Widjaja explained that the Indonesian EMT health post operates daily from 08:30 to 16:30 local time in the yard of the 50-bed Ottarathiri Hospital, Ottara District, Naypyitaw.
He reported that the average number of patients served could reach 315 people per day.
The team's general practitioners and specialists have treated several cases, including muscle pain, arthritis, minor injuries, upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), back pain, vertigo, gastritis, and headaches.
The team also handles emergency cases such as lacerations, stab wounds, fractures, and strokes.
With no operational extension, Widjaja stated that all facilities and infrastructure of the Indonesian EMT field hospital will be handed over to the 50-bed Ottarathiri Hospital, with the symbolic handover to be witnessed by officials from the Myanmar Ministry of Health.
Widjaja noted that the health services provided by the Indonesian EMT were well-received by the local government and residents.
"Our work here will certainly be a beautiful memory for the people of Myanmar. This is a memory of the kindness of the Indonesian people shown through the EMT during the emergency response after the earthquake in Myanmar," he noted. - Bernama-ANTARA
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