Army sets up field hospital at relief centre

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Medical aid: A patient being treated at the field hospital set up by the army to provide medical treatment to flood victims at Rantau Panjang, Kelantan.

KOTA BARU: A father sits anxiously at the entrance to a large olive green tent, his little girl on his lap.

As military officer Sjn Azlan Jamaluddin examines the child, she stretches out her arm to reveal rashes all along the forearm.

Sjn Azlan quickly sends father and daughter inside for a further check-up.

Five minutes later, the duo leave the tent with a rash cream and smiles of relief.

Hundreds of flood victims are being attended to at the armed forces field hospital set up in the SK Gual Tinggi flood relief centre in Rantau Panjang here.

The field hospital, consisting of two large tents joined together, was set up at the school’s assembly ground early yesterday morning.

Four army doctors and six medical officers from the Royal Medical Corps operate the field hospital, which is open 24 hours a day.

“The patients mostly have fever and rashes, possibly due to contact with flood water.

“We have enough supplies and facilities to treat basic illnesses, cuts and wounds,” Sjn Azlan told The Star.

On what would be done for more severe cases, Sjn Azlan said an army ambulance was on standby to transport emergency cases to the nearest government hospital.

Flood victims seeking treatment will only have to present a MyKad or MyKid to register at the entrance. An army doctor will examine patients and prescribe the right medication, which they will need to pick up at a mini pharmacy near the exit.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who visited the field hospital and the relief centre yesterday, said Armed Forces personnel from eight brigades had been deployed in Kelantan alone.

“They are based in Kota Baru, Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Pasir Putih, Kuala Krai, Machang, Gua Musang, Jeli and Bachok.

“We have also deployed our assets – among which are Tetra trucks, three tonne trucks, four-wheel drives and boats,” he said.

Apart from the Royal Medical Corps, the National Service Corps is also contributing towards relief centre management efforts through a field kitchen.

Hishammuddin said the Armed Forces would also help in post flood efforts, including fixing homes with minor damage and repairing infrastructure such as schools and multipurpose halls.