SAF & MOH to deploy contingent to Egyptian hospitals to treat Palestinians from Gaza

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) will deploy a contingent to provide medical care to Palestinians and other civilians from Gaza who are being treated in Egypt.

The contingent will comprise personnel from the SAF and MOH, a press release by MINDEF stated.

MINDEF said that this "latest mission" is part of the SAF's efforts to help deal with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Other missions have included usage of the MRTT aircraft to deliver relief supplies three times, air dropping supplies into Gaza via the SAF's C-130 aircraft, and deploying a medical team on board a French hospital ship.

Number of Gaza residents that can be helped in Egypt will be many times more than previous efforts

MINDEF further stated that the number of residents from Gaza who can be helped in Egyptian hospitals will be many times more compared to previous SAF efforts.

An advance team of eight personnel from the SAF has been scheduled to depart Egypt on Apr. 16, while a single personnel from MOH will depart later and join the advance on Apr. 23.

They will work with Egyptian authorities to pave the way for the deployment of the main team, supplies and equipment, which will likely take place in the following weeks.

In a Facebook post on Apr. 16, Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen said he had met the advance team and added that this medical deployment is expected to last several months.

"We hope that Singapore’s medical care will improve the lives of individuals affected by this crisis," Ng said.