U.S. Airmen treat hundreds of Indonesian earthquake victims

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Veronica Pierce
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PADANG, Indonesia --  With only one of the four local hospitals operational, a U.S. Air Force Humanitarian Assistance Rapid Response Team here continues to help local medical professionals treat an increasing number of patients in the wake of recent earthquakes.

HARRT members have cared for more than 200 patients in the two days since opening a mobile field hospital. Common ailments treated include infections, broken bones and infectious diseases.

"You hate to see someone survive an earthquake and die from an infection," said Maj. Brenda Parker, a HARRT nurse deployed from the 36th Medical Operations Squadron at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. "Helping the people here is not only the right thing to do but the humane thing to do, and I'm glad to be part of this operation."

Staff Sgt. Beth Sherman, an individual duty medical technician also deployed from the 36th MDOS, said most of the patients she has treated here have come in because of infections following injuries suffered during the earthquake.

"It's important that we are here treating these infections," she said. "It has been almost 10 days since the earthquake and many people we have seen waited for treatment, so the quicker we treat them the less chance the infection can spread, possibly causing more damage."

Although they are providing care from tents instead of pristine medical facilities, HARRT members say the mission of caring for people comes first, echoing the Air Force core value of "service before self."

"We have the capability to go anywhere throughout the Pacific region in a moment's notice during times of disaster," said Major Parker. "No matter how austere the location, we continue on with our mission."

The 69-member HARRT arrived in Indonesia Oct. 5 and set up a mobile field hospital near the M. Jamil hospital in Padang to work closely with host-nation medical personnel. The field hospital is equipped to provide treatment ranging from acute to surgical care.