SINGAPORE ARMED FORCES SEND SURGICAL TEAM TO AFGHANISTAN

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab

SINGAPORE, April 2 (Bernama) -- The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has
deployed an eight-man surgical team to a field hospital in Oruzgan province, as
part of Singapore's overall contribution to the multinational stabilisation and
reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

The team, which is based in the provincial capital Tarin Kowt, started
operations from yesterday and would be there until May 31, according to
the Singapore Defence Ministry Friday.

In a statement, the ministry said this was the first time that the SAF had
deployed a surgical team to Afghanistan, comprising a general trauma surgeon,
orthopaedic surgeon, general practitioner, anaesthetist and four other
medical personnel.

They would provide surgical and medical support to the International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) personnel deployed there, as well as emergency
medical care for the Afghan locals, it said.

The surgical team deployment was the 10th SAF deployment to Afghanistan
since 2007, and followed the completion of an SAF medical deployment at the same
field hospital in Tarin Kowt, the ministry said.

The 13-man medical team was there from December to last month to provide
emergency medical support, primary healthcare, and pre- and post-operative
medical care to the ISAF personnel and Afghan locals.

-- BERNAMA