Today,
the staff at the Red Cross Red Crescent field hospital in Bam
delivered their 100th baby since the 26 December earthquake.
Little Marziyeh Amozegar, was born at 11:30 a.m. and weighs
3020 grammes. Both the baby girl and her mother are fine.
"I want express all my thanks to the Red Crescent and the
Red Cross. The nurses and doctors treated me well. It is so
important to have them in these difficult times", says
Masomeh Amozegar, the 27-year-old mother.
Marizyeh is her first child. Midwife Kirsti Seljebot, of the
Norwegian Red Cross, is also proud. "The 100th delivery
on the last day of my mission: that is very symbolic for me.
And there is a lot more to do. Today we expect no fewer than
16 deliveries", says Kirsti.
It's a symbolic birth, occurring on the day which marks the
end of the official 40-day mourning period following the earthquake.
"The 100th birth is the sign of a new beginning. Little
Marziyeh will one day be a citizen of a rebuilt Bam", says
Iain Logan, Head of the Federation’s field operation in
Bam.
The Federation's field hospital will be filling the needs of
the population of Bam and the surrounding area for the next
year at least. Together with the three basic health care units
provided by the German and Japanese Red Cross, it has provided
health care for more than 20,000 patients to date.
"Most are suffering from respiratory infections or injuries
inflicted by the earthquake, as well as other chronic diseases.
A high number of people still show signs of psychological disturbance
in the wake of the earthquake. In addition we see a lot of injuries
of different kinds due to accidents, just like in a normal hospital",
says Birger Sandell, Head of the field hospital.
Happily, no epidemics have been reported, because the population
has had access to clean, bottled water even in the very first
hours after the earthquake.
"The Federation’s basic health care units have a
crucial role in the health care and disease prevention in Bam,
together with the 12 Iranian Red Crescent health posts."
says the Federation’s health-coordinator Adelheid Marschang.
"But it is the children who bring laughter back into the
life of the residents", she adds.
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Little
Marziyeh is the 100th baby born in
the Federation's field hospital (p11177)
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Mother
Masomeh Amozegar and midwife Kirsti Seljebotn are both
proud of the little girl (p11178)
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