...then replacement personnel, namely specialist doctors, nurses, and health professionals will be sent to treat infectious diseases...Jakarta (ANTARA) - Health workers sent by the Indonesian government to help earthquake victims in Turkey will conduct their humanitarian mission for one month, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy informed on Tuesday.
The government deployed the advance team of Indonesian medical personnel in two batches, along with logistical assistance, he said at the Presidential Palace here on Tuesday.
The first batch of 62 personnel departed on February 11, 2023, while the second one, comprising 181 health workers, left for Turkey on February 13, he added.
"They (the medical personnel) will be stationed (in Turkey) for about a month, then replacement personnel, namely specialist doctors, nurses, and health professionals will be sent to treat infectious diseases, which usually spread about one month after a disaster occurs,” he informed.
The coordinating minister made the statement after attending a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Lieutenant General Suharyanto.
He said that the dispatched health workers were the ones required for first aid response, such as orthopedic doctors and orthopedic surgeons.
Furthermore, he informed that the government plans to send additional logistical assistance on February 20.
"We will send four cargo planes to take (additional) food and required logistical equipment, including blankets, according to the requests from the Turkish government and the Syrian government," he said.
Based on the latest data from the Indonesian embassy in Ankara, Turkey, two Indonesian citizens died in the disaster, while 123 others were evacuated and provided shelter at the embassy.
Effendy said that the Indonesian government has not decided whether to provide compensation to the families of the deceased Indonesian citizens or not.
"Whether there would be compensation from the government of Indonesia or not, I will discuss it later with the related ministry, as this is under the responsibility of the Social Affairs Ministry. Later, I will discuss it with (Social Affairs Minister) Mrs. Risma (Tri Rismaharini)," he added.
Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 jolted Kahramanmara province, Turkey, on February 6. The disaster also ravaged a number of regions in Syria, which borders Turkey.
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Translator: Desca Natalia, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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