SINGAPORE: A 34-member Emergency Medical Team, known as the Singapore Emergency Medical Team (SGEMT), has been deployed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to Myanmar in response to the catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck last week. This marks the inaugural deployment of the SGEMT since its establishment in September 2024.
The team, equipped to cater to more than 100 patients daily, comprises healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and allied health personnel from Singapore’s public healthcare institutions. They are expected to provide crucial medical support and humanitarian assistance for the next 14 days.
Immediate Relief Efforts
According to the MOH, the SGEMT’s setup in Myanmar aims to function similarly to a field hospital, delivering emergency and primary medical care as well as maternal and child health services. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung expressed solidarity with the victims of the disaster, stating, “Singapore stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar during this difficult time.” Notably, the team includes two midwives, a clinical psychologist, and a physiotherapist.
Significance of Deployment
- The team is poised to support local health services in Yamethin Township, situated outside Naypyidaw.
- Ong met the SGEMT members as they departed from Changi Airport, where he acknowledged that many would miss Hari Raya celebrations. However, team members expressed that their deployment was a meaningful way to observe the occasion.
- The expedition follows an earlier operation involving the Singapore Civil Defence Force, which sent an 80-member team to Myanmar, along with two Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 transport aircraft delivering essential supplies.
International Collaboration
The SGEMT operates in alignment with standards set by the World Health Organisation, bringing together key capabilities to respond effectively in emergency situations. As global and regional partners collaborate for disaster relief, Singapore’s commitment to humanitarian efforts is further emphasised through initiatives like these.