ArmenPress
March 11 2005

ARMENIAN MEDICS BACK FROM INDONESIA MISSION

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS: A team of Armenian medics who were
dispatched to Indonesia’s Banda Aceh to provide the people of the
tsunami stricken region of Indonesia with emergency medical aid were
awarded today by Armenian health ministry by letters of appreciation.
Armenian doctors worked at Zeynol Abidin hospital in Banda Aceh and
the region’s central health office. The management of the clinic and
the office sent a letter of appreciation to Armenian government
praising Armenian doctors for their work.
Hrant Ashkian, who headed the team of Armenian medics, said the
tsunami destroyed hospitals and medical clinics and killed health
care officials. He said some 300-400 people suffering from infectious
diseases applied daily and another 30-40 people with various damages,
mostly fractures.
Epidemiologist Armen Hayrapetian, who examined the epidemiological
situation in the region, said at the end of their mission there were
indications that the number of infectious diseases was going down.
According to Armenian doctors, authorities in Banda Aceh expect
the Armenian government to send another team of doctors. Deputy
health minister said the government would consider this issue.
In the wake of the tsunami Armenian government sent medicines and
other medical assistance to Sri Lanka. Four Armenian doctors were
dispatched to Indonesia on February 19 and worked there for two
weeks.