French physicians treat over 1,500 quake victims in Türkiye

By Oktay Ozden and Orhan Cicek

ADIYAMAN, Türkiye (AA) – French physicians have examined over 1,500 patients in a field hospital in Türkiye’s quake-hit southeastern Adiyaman province.

The French Civil Protection Hospital is being run by 90 personnel, including 14 doctors and 17 nurses. They plan to leave on March 10.

"We have taken care of approximately 1,500 people since Feb. 14 in our field hospital, which we established in the Golbasi district after the earthquake,” Albay Romain, the chief physician of the hospital, told Anadolu.

Romain said they encountered mostly orthopedic problems, various injuries, and fractures in the field hospital.

Underlining that they also provide health services to those with chronic illness, heart disease, and pregnant women, he said the wounds affecting mental health are more important than the physical wounds.

Hamdi Bilget, one of the earthquake victims, said that his 93-year-old mother went under surgery in this hospital.

Expressing his gratitude to the French medical team, Bilget said: "My mother had intestinal inflammation, her condition was very critical. If it had been delayed a little longer, there might not have been a chance for surgical intervention. I thank the French medical team for their help."

More than 45,000 people have died in Türkiye in the magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes on Feb. 6.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar