Contributions from People of Singapore continue to improve lives in China
Donated Hospital Equipment
Singapore’s contributions for the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake is making a lasting impact. Donated hospital equipment is now used to treat survivors of the earthquake that struck Sichuan again on 20 April 2013.
Following the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake, the Singapore Red Cross donated S$2 million of medical equipment to several hospitals in the region. These were distributed to Sichuan Orthopedic Hospital and three of its affiliated county hospitals in Tianquan, Kangding and Ziyang.
The epicentre of the 2013 Sichuan Earthquake was in Lushan County, about 50km away from Tianquan County. Tianquan County Chinese Medicine Hospital has so far treated 1,000 outpatient and 100 inpatient victims of the 2013 Sichuan Earthquake, with the same equipment donated by SRC in 2008.
At the heart of the operations is the Neo Magtron machine, that helps relieve pain for patients with orthopaedic injuries.
“I am heartened to note our earlier contributions have come in handy in this disaster and that the survivors are benefiting from the donated equipment, which is a symbol of our connection to our friends in China.” said Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General, Singapore Red Cross.
At the hospital, the three-men team from Singapore Red Cross met with a male patient named Li Yan Wei, aged 17, who was sent to the hospital from quake epicenter Lushan on 20 April. He had jumped from a second floor building in panic and broken both his legs.
The hospital administration shared with the Singapore Red Cross that the 500-bed hospital has exceeded its operating capacity since 20 April as many injured survivors arrived from various nearby counties. Most of the injured had fractured or broken limbs and were awaiting orthopedic surgery. Some of the Singapore Red Cross donated equipment would be used in the rehabilitation of these patients post-surgery.
The team met more survivors in the temporary tents erected outside the hospital building, to provide shelter for the patients. Said a male patient Li Jiang, “I suffered multiple injuries to my back and legs after I jumped off a building... I can still remember the crushing sound of falling debris.”
The Singapore Red Cross donated bags of rice to the patients, including Mrs Jin, whose husband Mr Jin Xiang Da was buried by the collapsing roof on the morning of the quake, and had to be pulled out from under the rubble. He recalled, “At the time of quake, I was still in bed and only wearing shorts. Now I have lost everything, I had to borrow clothes from others.” Mr Jin suffered injury on his ribs and broken limbs. The couple is now living in a temporary tent.
Update on Public Appeal
The Singapore Red Cross has raised over $113,430 as of Friday, 26 April for relief efforts in Sichuan.
More Ways to Give – DBS, POSB, AXS
The Singapore Red Cross is partnering DBS and AXS to make giving more convenient for donors. Donors can give through DBS and POSB ATMs and iBanking (see Annex), as well as the network of 830 AXS Stations islandwide.
Change in Operating Hours for Fund Collection
29 – 30 April: 9am – 7pm
2 May onwards: 9am – 6pm
Closed on Public Holiday (1 May) and Weekends
You may also donate to the Singapore Red Cross to support relief efforts in Sichuan, China through:
Cheque Donation
Please make your cheque payable to “Singapore Red Cross Society” and indicate ‘Sichuan Earthquake 2013’ at the back, along with your full name, contact number and address. You can post the cheque to Red Cross House, 15 Penang Lane, Singapore 238486.
Cash Donation
You can make cash donations at the Red Cross House at 15 Penang Lane, Singapore 238486 (near to Dhoby Ghaut MRT station).
For any public appeals, the Singapore Red Cross will not deduct more than 5% of the funds raised to cover appeal costs. Should the funds raised exceed the amount required to meet the immediate and rehabilitation needs of the people in the affected areas, Singapore Red Cross will direct the excess funds to other emergency preparedness and/or community programmes initiatives for disaster affected communities.
Hotlines+ 65 6664 0501/ 6664 0502
Updates available at facebook.com/sgredcross and twitter.com/sgredcross