SAF MEDICAL TEAM COMPLETES MISSION, RETURNS FROM AFGHANISTAN

High velocity gun-shot wounds, blast injuries and traumatic amputations resulting from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). These combat injuries, which are almost never seen in Singapore, were just some of the challenging wounds which the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) medical team had to treat and manage during their mission to Afghanistan.

Divided into two rotations over the course of six months from November 2008 until May this year, the 39-man team operated at a field hospital in the province of Oruzgan in central Afghanistan, providing emergency room manning, primary healthcare and ward capabilities in support of the Dutch and Australian forces deployed there.

Working closely with their foreign counterparts, the team treated casualties that included members of the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF), Afghan national security forces and local civilians.

Having successfully completed their overseas mission, the latest 20-man team returned home on 30 May, and were welcomed with big hugs and warm kisses from their family and friends at Changi Airport.

Medical Officer Major (MAJ) (Dr) Lo Hong Yee told cyberpioneer: "I think this mission has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, all of us grew a lot. For a surgeon, being able to operate in a war zone is like a dream come true."

"Working under those stressful conditions has also helped me to develop greater clarity of mind and composure when I operate on patients," he added.

"This mission has exceeded all my expectations in every aspect, from the kind of patients we saw, the social interaction we had with our foreign counterparts, to the cohesion we had within our SAF contingent."

His wife, Madam Wee Ming Huey, said: "I'm very happy that he's back. Naturally, I was a bit worried, but I knew the SAF would take care of him, and that he could take care of himself."

Besides providing medical support to the ISAF and Afghan troops, Medical Officer MAJ (Dr) Jared Ng also conducted a mental health workshop with the local medical community at the Regional Health Training Centre (RHTC) in the province of Bamiyan.

The construction of this two-storey facility was overseen by a construction engineering team from the SAF last year.

Said MAJ (Dr) Ng: "It's a very rewarding experience because when I'm teaching them, I learn a lot from them at the same time. In fact, sometimes I feel like I'm the one who benefits even more from our interaction, because I get to know about their culture and their way of life, and how they deal with mental health issues."

Also present at the homecoming to greet the returning servicemen were members from the first rotation. As a ward nurse, First Sergeant (1SG) Alfatah Abdul Karim helped to provide round-the-clock care for casualties, ensuring their recovery and well-being.

"There's a sense of completion in seeing our patients recover as their wounds heal... I felt a sense of accomplishment in being able to contribute, and enhance the lives of the people who came through the ward," shared 1SG Alfatah.

Back in November last year, he faced the difficult decision of having to part with his two-month old daughter.

"It was my first overseas mission, and it was an opportunity I couldn't miss. I'm grateful that my wife understood and gave me her full support. While I was away, my wife would email me photos that she took of my daughter everyday," he told cyberpioneer.

"Reading her emails and looking at those photos was something I looked forward to at the end of every day. In a way, my family motivated me to do my best, so that when my daughter grows up, I'll feel proud to tell her I've been through a mission like this, that I've met and treated the people there in Afghanistan."

03 Jun 09 - SAF Personnel Honoured for Contributions in Afghanistan