Materia Medica Malaysiana

M'sian Hospital An Instant Hit With 200 Patients Daily

BANDA ACEH, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- The temporary hospital set up two days ago by the Malaysian Armed Forces on humanitarian tour-of-duty has become an instant hit with the villagers of Gue Gajah here, with an average of 200 patients being treated daily.
The hospital has been the first choice among communities around the area which was devastated by the Dec 26 tsunami.
Lt. Col. Dr Mohamed Zakariah Mohamed Ali, the commanding officer at the Armed Forces Hospital here, is expecting an even bigger turnout in due time.
He said Acehnese preferred the service of the Malaysian Armed Forces because of the similarity in language and culture as well as the extra care shown by this high-spirited health team.
"Acehnese are quite similar to Malaysians due to the same culture, language, and our excellent services and they feel closer to us. Moreoever, we understand them deeper," he said.
Dr Zakariah, who heads a team of nine doctors and 44 paramedics, including health technicians, also said that a mobile clinic would be set up soon to extend their health services.