ACEH: Doctors in earthquake-hit Aceh are running on empty, having forgone sleep for the last two days in their bid to treat the never-ending stream of victims.
This is the sacrifice borne by the ‘disaster doctors’ of Hospital Dr. Fauziah, Bireuen, in handling the hundreds of patients sent to the hospital, shortly after the earthquake struck on Wednesday morning.
One of the doctors, Dr Zulkainain Adam, 47, said the staff have their hands full in treating patients, mostly from the Pidie Jaya area.
More than 200 victims - including the elderly as well as women and children - are being warded at the hospital.
“Today marks the third day of the disaster, and there are still 46 people receiving treatment and surgery here.
“Many have broken legs, abdominal and cranial wounds as a result of being hit by debris. Surgeries are still ongoing,” he said.
The hospital has set up its ‘disaster doctors’ unit to tackle the influx of patients from Pidie Jaya as well as Kota Meureudu.
“The doctors are on scene at the disaster areas to assist. They include orthopedic surgeons, anaesthetists, and even paediatricians.
“We have so far managed to keep the number of fatalities relatively low, with 102 deaths reported to date,” he said.
