Archived Media Release
9 June 2006
Australian Medics in Remote Areas of Bantul
A tent clinic staffed by Australian medics has provided welcome medical treatment to earthquake victims in Pundong village, Bantul District, Yogyakarta.
Since opening last Wednesday, medics from the clinic have treated fractures and lacerations, and provided advice on child and maternal health needs and environmental health issues. They have also dispensed anti -tetanus serum and antibiotics to people needing ongoing treatment for lacerations and infections. Some patients have been transferred to nearby Ludira Husada Tama hospital for X-rays and operations.
The clinic’s mobile teams travel to people unable to come to the clinic itself. “We met some patients who were seriously ill, with dislocated bones, lying on the ground in their makeshift lean-tos,” team leader Dr Rob Edwards said during their visit to Dusun Ketandan Patalan, Desa Jentis, Bantul.
Team member Linda Winn explained that “we established the clinic in that particular area because of the community primary health care needs, and we are supporting the transmission from emergency to early recovery under cooperation with local medical workers”.
The clinic is a part of a 27-member medical team comprising surgeons, anaesthetists, operating staff, disaster medicine specialists and logisticians, led by a representative of Australia’s international aid agency AusAID. The Australian Government has committed AUD$7.5 million to assist quake victims.
Further information:
Amanda Mitchener (Public Affairs) 085216069241