Farewell and Appreciation Ceremony: MOH UM extended heartfelt thanks US medical team

Union Minister for Health Dr. Thet Khaing Win, on behalf of the Chairman of the National Natural Disaster Management Committee, attended a farewell and appreciation ceremony for the Samaritan’s Purse International Relief medical team, a U.S.-based organization who had completed their emergency medical response operations in Myanmar.

The ceremony began with a one-minute silence observed by attendees to honor those who lost their lives in the recent major Mandalay earthquake. In his speech, Union Minister Dr. Thet Khaing Win expressed gratitude and explained that Samaritan’s Purse, in cooperation with the Department of Medical Services of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Health, had opened a temporary field hospital at the Shwekyapin Sports Ground in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory starting April 5.

Over 5,000 patients, including earthquake-related trauma cases and general outpatients, received treatment, emergency surgeries and other medical care. Additionally, the organization supported 5,000 affected households in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area with solar lights, water purification systems, and household supplies.

The Union Minister also noted that from 2015 to 2019, Samaritan’s Purse had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Health to collaborate on maternal and child healthcare and nutrition programs. He extended heartfelt thanks to the organization for transferring ownership of the emergency field hospital to the Ministry of Health, on behalf of the government and the people of Myanmar.

Next, Mr. John Melton, team leader of Samaritan’s Purse, and Mr. Peter Hough, Hospital Director, gave presentations on the organization’s earthquake emergency medical operations in Myanmar and the details of the hospital handover.

They expressed gratitude to the Department of Medical Services and the Ministry of Health for their facilitation and coordination, and thanked the doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who collaborated with them. They acknowledged the quality and professionalism of the local medical teams and expressed appreciation for their teamwork.

They concluded by expressing their wishes for a swift recovery for the people of Myanmar. After that, Samaritan’s Purse International Relief officially handed over the emergency field hospital at Shwekyapin Sports Ground to the Ministry of Health.

The Union Minister presented a certificate of appreciation and commemorative gifts to the team on behalf of the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee. From April 5 to May 6, at the emergency hospital in Zabuthiri Township, the Samaritan’s Purse team conducted 303 surgeries and treated a total of 5,813 patients.

The hospital includes emergency treatment wards, inpatient wards, operating theaters, a pharmacy, laboratory, and water purification systems, with an estimated total value of approximately 1.5 million USD.