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Japan in crisis

Israel to open field clinic in Japan

Two planes carrying 50 doctors, tons of equipment leave Saturday. Israeli doc: Japanese are grateful

Israeli mission to aid Japan crisis on its way: A medical delegation, including 50 doctors, is expected to fly from Ben-Gurion Airport on Saturday and head to Japan.

 

Israel will send two planes, one holding nearly 20 tons worth of humanitarian aid and the other full of 50 tons worth of medical equipment intended for an Israeli field clinic which will be established in the town of Minamisanriku.

 

"The view here is extremely harsh. Everything is destroyed. Nothing is left of this town," IDF Home Front Medical Corps Commander, Colonel Dr. Ariel Bar, told Yediot Ahronot about the sights he had seen in the town.

 

"In this area alone there are about 10,000 homeless people. People sleep on the floor and seem unresponsive. They definitely need help and fast."

 

The Israeli clinic will provide the Japanese with pediatrics, internal and orthopedic medicine. A field X-ray lab and a blood test lab will also be built on location.

 

"The Japanese think very highly of Israeli knowledge and especially our ability to act independently in the field," said Bar. "When it comes to Japanese culture it's not an easy thing to ask for help or admit their inability to do something. But this crisis is hard enough so that they do. They are grateful."

 

Israel's ambassador to Japan Nissim Ben Shitrit is the one in charge of contacts between local authorities. Director of the North East Asia Department of the MFA (Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Hagai Shagrir, is assisting Ben Shitrit from Israel.

 

"Not one building is left standing. Everything is in ruins," said Bar. "Those who are still alive suffer from different diseases. That's why we're going to establish a field clinic and provide various medical services."

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.23.11, 12:48
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