S'pore medical professionals provide tele-consults & services to wounded in Gaza

The team has been doing so for the past six weeks.

Natalie Ong

December 08, 2024, 06:11 PM

A team of medical professionals in Singapore, including doctors, surgeons, and pediatricians, have been providing tele-medical services and consultations to a United Arab Emirates (UAE) led hospital ship treating casualties from Gaza.

Comprising professionals from the National University Hospital (NUH), KK Woman's and Children's Hospital (KKH) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the Singapore contingent was part of an international team assisting virtually in the medical and rehabilitative treatment for approximately six weeks.

Thanking the healthcare professionals via an Instagram post, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan shared that he was "grateful" to the healthcare staff for their participation in the global effort.

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A post shared by Vivian Balakrishnan (@vivianbalakrishnan)

Balakrishnan also lauded the collaboration with the UAE, noting the country as a "steadfast partner in these humanitarian efforts".

He also reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to "continue working" with partners in the Middle East to provide more humanitarian relief in Gaza.

"We reiterate our call for an urgent ceasefire and the immediate unconditional release of all hostages," affirmed Balakrishnan.

"Wanted to contribute in any way that we could"

Reflecting on the experience, NUH Paediatric Surgery Consultant Lee Yang Yang shared that the forum allowed the Singapore team the opportunity to provide their professional advice and assistance to the multinational team currently helping the medical needs in Gaza.

Adding that the team collectively knew there was a humanitarian need in the region, everyone simply "wanted to contribute in any way that they could", said Lee.

NUH Senior Occupational Therapist Rebecca Wong also shared that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was commonly seen amongst patients, adding that the psycho-social aspect was another area the Singaporean team could contribute to.

"We are very fortunate to be in a region where there's safety," said Raj Menon, Center Director of NUH's National University Centre for Trauma.

"The impetus is on us, then, to step forward, to reach out, and to help people in need while we can."