Bundeswehr in Turkey: A mobile hospital for Altinözü

After the earthquake in Turkey, the hospital in Altinözü near Hatay is no longer usable. The Bundeswehr is now helping here: 300 tons of material were brought there for a clinic made of tents, but the use is limited.

Generators hum all over the site on the outskirts of Altinözü in the southern Turkish earthquake province of Hatay. The Bundeswehr soldiers even brought their electricity with them. “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome you on behalf of the 140 soldiers who have set up the camp area and above all the rescue center here,” said commander Kai Schlolaut at the opening of the field hospital.

300 tons of material with 15 transport planes

The Bundeswehr brought 300 tons of material, including cars, tents, medical equipment, a water treatment plant and generators, with 15 transport flights. Schlolaut’s people set up and set up tents for ten days. Normally, such a hospital should be up and running within three to four days, for example during evacuation operations. But this is a civilian, different mission.

Therefore, says Oberfeldarzt Jean, they have rebuilt something “so that we could expand the outpatient treatment capacity to up to 100 a day.” The number of care beds could also be increased. There is a so-called trauma room for the admission of seriously injured people, an intensive care unit and an operating room.

Everyday, important help

After the earthquake, Turkey asked NATO for help. An inquiry ended up with commander Schlolaut – this led to the deployment in Altinözü. The local hospital was destroyed in the earthquake. After that, rescue teams and first responders came. “But they are now withdrawing their strength, so that we can now fill this gap, continue the treatment and medical and international help is arriving here in Altinözü for the first time,” says Schlolaut.

More or less everyday, but all the more important help, says hospital boss Jean. Because one of the consequences of the quake is “that family doctor care cannot be guaranteed. Accordingly, we will take care of it for the time being.”

24 hour emergency room

But if it has to be, you can also take stationary here. And there’s a 24-hour emergency room. Around ten soldiers with Turkish roots help over language barriers.

One of them is Oberfeldapotheker Recep. For him, the assignment is more than a job, it is more of an affair of the heart. Because the reports about the earthquake are affecting him, he says. “That’s why I also hope that with my contribution I can contribute to help and understanding.”

Bundeswehr stays until the end of May

But the Bundeswehr will only stay in Altinözü with its field hospital until the end of May. It couldn’t be any longer, according to Commander Schlolaut. Because the facility is missing for military operations: “We took it out for this important order, and now we accept a gap there at times. That’s why we have to ultimately bring this treatment facility back so that it can be returned to its actual military mission.”

hoping to stay

In Altinözü one understands that. However, the responsible governor Osman Kaymak hopes that there will be a change of heart. “I think if our German friends see the great need here, they might decide to stay longer. To be honest, I expect that too – and I’ve already mentioned it.”

Logistically that would certainly be possible. Planning and construction would have been more worthwhile then. In any case, the generators last longer.