The Calcaneus Medical Assistance Team (TBM Calcaneus) of the Faculty of Medicine (FK) of Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas) deployed three teams to help the victims of the earthquake that occurred in West Sulawesi. Simultaneously, TBM Calcaneus was involved in efforts to overcome the impact of the earthquake.
In an interview on Friday (05/02), the Head of TBM Calcaneus FK Unhas, Syahrul Fajar, informed that 17 team members within three teams were deployed to help and provide medical services and distribute non-medical logistical assistance to the disaster location.
“TBM has departed since January 16th. The first and second teams consisted of 5 members each, and the third team consisted of 7 members. The trip to the location was quite difficult due to landslides. The first team focused on Malunda District to Rante Doda for three days with a total of 278 patients. Meanwhile, the second team replaced the first team that moved to another post (the Tapallang post)” explained Syahrul.
Syahrul added that TBM Calceneus FK Unhas also collaborated with the Regional General Hospital of West Sulawesi Province. At least, there are 201 heads of families with 621 refugees who are served by TBM Calceneus Unhas.
Meanwhile, the third team is still in Mamuju to explore isolated villages due to earthquakes and landslides. In that location, there were a total of 318 patients, most of them were victims who suffered health problems such as diarrhoea, body aches, dizziness, and fever.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the related agencies and the Indonesian Air Force Team who contributed logistical assistance in the form of basic necessities, such as oil, baby milk, rice, mineral water, sardines, shredded rice, instant porridge, tarpaulin, and diapers,” he added. Syahrul.
While at the disaster site, TBM Calceneus FK Unhas also provided education to refugees regarding the implementation of the Covid-19 protocol. TBM Unhas is still in the disaster area to be directly involved in helping the affected community.
Kumara Tungga Dewa, S.S.
Editor: Ishaq Rahman, AMIPR
