Dispatch of a Second Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team in Response to the Disaster in Indonesia Caused by the Major Earthquake off the Coast of Sumatra and the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean

January 9, 2005

On January 7 (Fri), the Government of Japan decided to dispatch a second group of Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team of 21 personnel including an official of the Foreign Ministry, doctors, nurses and pharmacists, for two weeks from January 8 to Indonesia for the relief of the disaster caused by the major earthquake off the coast of Sumatra and the tsunami in the Indian Ocean, in succession to the first team whose dispatch was decided on December 29.
The team now on duty has been treating up to 270 patients per day -- most of them are suffering from external injuries, eye disorders, colds and diarrhea -- and also giving advice on public hygiene. While the first team is scheduled to return to Japan on January 12, Japan has decided to dispatch this second Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team, because the need for medical personnel in Indonesia is still high.

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