An association of local doctors reported on Saturday morning that at least 30 have died as a result of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that hit Donggala, Central Sulawesi, that has affected nearby areas, including the capital city of Palu. Electricity, water and internet systems have been affected, making it difficult for doctors to help patients.
omang Adi Sujendra, the director of Undata Regional Hospital in Palu, Central Sulawesi, announced in a short video on Saturday that the hospital recorded that at least 30 have died as a result of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that rocked the province on Friday afternoon.
“There are several health facilities and hospitals in Palu. But in this hospital alone we recorded 30 casualties, 12 people [orthopedic cases] in need of surgery, and nine people who suffered from head trauma,” Komang, who is also the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) chairman for Central Sulawesi, said in a nearly three-minute video recorded early on Saturday.
Pesan video dari sejawat kita, dr. I Komang Adi Sujendra, SpPD, Ketua Ikatan Dokter Indonesia wilayah Sulawesi Tengah. Ayo kita bantu 💪🏻🙏🏻 #PrayForPalu #PrayForDonggala pic.twitter.com/CAOnrQDQwt
— PB IDI (@PBIDI) September 28, 2018
After the massive earthquake hit, Komang said, access to electricity, water and internet systems was cut off, making it difficult for doctors to help patients. In the video that was first published on @PBIDI, the Twitter handle of the national office of IDI, Komang speaks directly to the camera wearing a white hospital outfit in a nearly pitch-black environment, with the only light coming from the camera.
He asked for immediate help from authorities and any parties that could assist in emergency efforts at the hospital.
“We hope to immediately establish field hospitals. We need tents, medicines, medical personnel, tarpaulins, blankets and more of other things. I hope you can help us so we can give victims all the aid they need,” he said.
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