Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

The number of South Sudanese patients Hanbit unit has treated exceeded 10,000

Hanbit unit, the reconstruction support team for South Sudan, has treated 10,000 patients, providing medical service to the public. It took just one year and 6 months since the unit was deployed in March of last year.

On September 30, local time, the unit held a small presentation event for Sunday, the 6-year-old boy who was the 10,000 patient treated. For more professional treatment for a malignant tumor on his face, this boy will be transported to a hospital in Uganda that is associated with NGO and offers better treatment conditions.

Nyanguor Wuor, the mother of Sunday, said, “I have heard of the unit coming to my village to give medical care but I was never dreaming that my son would receive treatment, so just to be sure, I visited the unit. I deeply appreciate this great unexpected help.”

Since the civil war broke out last December, government and rebel forces have been engaging in small and large gunfights. Under these dangerous situations and inconveniences, the Hanbit unit continues travelling to provide basic medical service for the local residents who have no medical benefits.

The medical corps consists of 21 personnel including five army doctors, four nursing officers and a vet officer. Besides medical travelling, they are conducting a variety of missions such as medical support between reconstruction support projects, treatment at the post for refugees and UN personnel, disease control, water analysis and vaccinations. They are also educating local doctors and nurses about patient treatment and nursing twice a month to improve the medical standards of South Sudan.

“The medical corps treated 10,000 patients, four times a day and three hours on average. I am so proud of my men completing their missions in the intense heat of more than 40-50 degrees wearing bulletproof jackets and hats,” said Major Yu Dae-seong, the chief of the medical corps.

By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >

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