MFH Records History With 13th Successful Laparoscopic Operation In Cox's Bazar Refugee Camp

By Syed Azwan Syed Ali Syed Azwan Syed Ali is a humanitarian activist, and also the Media Advisor for Islamic Medical Association Malaysia Response and Relief Team (IMARET) in Cox's Bazar. COX’S BAZAR (Bangladesh), Aug 8 (Bernama) – A Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) surgeon performed the Malaysian Field Hospital (MFH)'s 13th successful laparoscopic operation at the Rohinya refugee camp here, marking a historic moment both for being the only hospital in the district providing laparoscopic operation and for completing 13 successful such operations since July 18 this year. All 13 operations were carried out with the aid of camera, and added to the total of 400 surgeries carried out in the hospital since March this year. MAF Medical Services General Surgeon Dr Yugasaravanan Khandasamy, who performed the latest operation, said that laparoscopic operation, which was more complicated than a conventional one, would enable the patient to recover faster with less risks for infection and complications. “We are the first hospital here with laparoscopic surgery expertise. In 1994, at the Forward Hospital, Bosnia performed laparoscopic operation but it was on a trial phase. “The American team at that time performed seven laparoscopic operations for its members. Tuesday's operation in MFH) was the 13th laparoscopic operation since July 18. Before this, we were carrying out only conventional surgery,” he said during an interview at the hospital. Dr Yugasaravanan was assisted in the operation by anaesthetist specialist, Dr Omar Loman, and anaesthetist Dr. Ahmad Faidhi Mohd Zaini and two other staff. Meanwhile it was a smooth one-hour operation for Rohingya refugee, Rohmat Ullah, 25, who was suffering from hernia. MFH Commander, Brig Gen Dr Adnan Abdullah said a laparoscopic operation was carried out as it provided more advantages compared with an open surgery. “With laparoscopy, there is reduced risk of bleeding during surgery for the patient," said Dr Adnan who monitored the operation. The Malaysian Field Hospital began operating here late 2017, following the influx of more than 700,000 Rohingya refugees who had fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar following a military operation in the northern part of the country's Rakhine state in August last year. There are now more than 1.2 million Rohingyas in the refugee camps in southern Bangladesh, which borders Myanmar. A total of 14,000 patients have been treated in the hospital since March following the takeover of the hospital by the MAF from the Health Ministry. -- BERNAMA Edited and translated by Shanti Ayadurai