MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
The Australian Government will provide medical equipment and support totalling $1 million to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of blast victims and their communities in Bali. The funding will be channelled through AusAID, the Australian Government's overseas aid agency.
Immediate medical assistance of $250,000 includes a Portable Image Intensifier from Princess Alexandra Hospital in South Brisbane. The equipment will be flown direct from Brisbane to Bali tomorrow (Wednesday) and is due to arrive around 7pm.
It locates shrapnel and metal particles in blast victims and is urgently needed. The equipment is worth more than $100,000 and is a gift.
Australia is looking to source a second Portable Image Intensifier for Bali and further essential medical supplies and specialist medical advice from Australia will be provided where needed to Sanglah Hospital in Denpasar and other treatment centres in Bali.
Australia will also provide up to $750,000 for other immediate and longer-term needs. This will support local non-government organisations, including the Indonesian Red Cross, to meet identified needs of the injured and families of those who died. This money will also assist with providing longer-term alternative livelihoods assistance to those affected by any local economic downturn that may result from the bombings.
Indonesia has been in a much better position to cope with such a tragedy following significant upgrades to the hospital after the devastating bombings on 12 October 2002 in Kuta.
AusAID assistance constructed a combined intensive care and burns unit to international standards. This aid also included training for medical and other emergency staff in triage procedures and allowed them to provide much better treatment of victims.
Upgrading of the morgue and forensic training has vastly improved identification processes.
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 0419 206 890
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590