HARRT provides continuous care in Indonesia

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Veronica Pierce
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PADANG, Indonesia --  The U.S. Air Force humanitarian assistance rapid response team deployed here in response to the recent earthquakes in Indonesia has treated more than 600 patients since opening the mobile field hospital to local residents on Oct. 7. 

The HARRT mission here is to assist the remaining hospitals damaged by the earthquake with proving medical care to Padang and the surrounding area. 

There are many challenges HARRT medical professionals come across while working in a foreign country, but one hurdle reached comes in the form of language. 

The majority of patients seen by HARRT speak little to no English, so to combat this issue local interpreters are used to be the communication point between medical staff and patient. The U.S. Embassy here provided interpreters to assist as did the Djamil Hospital, which sought out volunteer medical students. 

Maj. Shannon Faber, is an emergency medical doctor from the 3rd Medical Operations Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. She is one of the nine doctors deployed here with HARRT who has worked closely with interpreters. 

"I am very impressed with the medical student's English skills," said Major Faber. "Their ability to speak English and understand medical terminology has helped tremendously in ensuring we provide the most accurate care to the patients." 

Having local medical students not only plays a key role for HARRT medical personnel, the exchange has become beneficial to the students as well. 

"Working with HARRT has given me the opportunity to practice my English and gain more medical knowledge for U.S. doctors," said Muhammad Dio Syabutra, Undalas University medical student. "I find that experience could help me understand medicine from a different perspective possibly benefit me with my medical studies." 

A young mother with two small children waiting for medication commented through an interpreter. "I am so grateful for the American Doctors," said Ratujamasty. "My daughter has been ill for several days I now feel relieved that the doctors have seen her." 

The efforts of the local translators have proved to be a beneficial asset. Through their help, HARRT medical providers are able to support the local populous.