MERCY Sets Up Field Hospital Upon Arrival In Nepal

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Medical Relief Society (MERCY) which arrived in earthquake-ravaged Nepal last Tuesday, set up a field hospital manned by its first seven-man mission team. In a statement, MERCY's emergency response unit (ERU) has managed to treat 280 patients since conducting its operations, beginning Thursday. The field hospital comprising MERCY voluntary doctors and nurses will provide medical relief services for the next three weeks, dispensing free consultation and medical aid. "The hospital will serve the quake-affected communities comprising the 10,000-odd population in Sankhu, and another 2,500 people in adjacent areas. "It was set up on the premises of Shree Bhagwati Higher Secondary School, with the help of local volunteers, as well as voluntary doctors from Kathmandu," said the statement. On Wednesday, the second mission team of 11 members was deployed while the third mission, also a team of 11, will be deployed to further extend relief efforts. Last Saturday, Nepal was devastated by an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale that hit Pokhara, a city near Kathmandu at 2.56pm (Malaysian time), followed by several aftershocks. The earthquake - described as Nepal's worst in the past 81 years - has claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people while another 8,000 or more are reported to be injured. Medical specialists are urgently required, considering the huge number of Nepalese patients who crucially need advanced medical treatment. As the rainy weather has slowed down relief operations, it is expected that the upcoming moonsoon season will further delay the provision of relief work. Meanwhile, MERCY executive director Ahmad Faezal Mohamed said there was a tremendous need for humanitarian assistance, adding that initially, two teams were deployed. MERCY is also working together with the National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal, both being founder members of the Asian Disaster Risk Reduction Network, in disaster risk reduction activities and capacity building training. -- BERNAMA