Red Cross to establish clinic in area affected by new Indian earthquake
09 February 2001

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is establishing a Basic Health Care Unit in Bhachau, close to the epicentre of last night's earthquake in the western Indian State of Gujarat which measured 5.3 on the Richter Scale. The clinic will be operational tomorrow (Saturday).

About 25 people were injured in last night's new quake. The International Federation, the Spanish Red Cross and the Indian Red Cross had just completed an assessment of the health needs in the area yesterday and taken a decision to establish a 40-bed clinic which can also see 200 to 300 out-patients per day.

Bhachau had a population of 200,000 before the January 26 earthquake and is one of the worst-affected parts of Gujarat State. Last night's quake has further traumatised the population and underlined the need for a medical facility in the area.

"According to our assessment of the needs in the area, about 60% to 80% of those in need of treatment have earthquake-related injuries such as broken bones, infected wounds. We are expecting to see the same spectrum of injuries and illness as we are seeing in our main field hospital in Bhuj. This includes pneumonia, respiratory tract infections and diarrhoeal disease," said Dr. Hakan Sandbladh, emergency health co-ordinator for the International Federation.

The International Federation is also in discussion with the local authorities to assess the incidence of measles in the earthquake zone. Dr. Sandbladh said: "If you have low coverage for vaccination against measles under these conditions you can easily have a flare-up so we are looking at that and are ready to assist should it be necessary."

Meanwhile, the International Federation's main field hospital in Bhuj - funded by ECHO - has 100 in-patients and has treated 1,200 out-patients since it opened eight days ago. A clinic run by the Japanese Red Cross is treating over 70 people per day.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Geneva:
Andrei Neacsu, Information Officer, Tel.: +41 22 730 4296
Denis McClean, Head, Media Service Tel.: +41 22 730 4428
Duty phone Tel: +41 79 416 3881

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.