Indonesian Thursday dispatched a hospital ship with humanitarian supplies for Palestinians in Gaza.
The hospital aid ship KRI dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat 992 is for now only assigned to send aid to Gaza, not to function as a floating or field hospital.
Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said that “this is not an easy mission since the ship will have to pass quite dangerous waters,” but said his ministry has coordinated with related parties. He added that “as a country that supports Palestine, we do not feel that the group in Yemen [Houthi rebels] will consider us as their enemy; the same as other several countries who understand Indonesia’s position as a nonaligned country.”
This ship will dock at Al-Arish Port in northeastern Egypt for approximately four days to deliver the aid to the Egyptian Red Crescent, which will deliver it to Gaza. The 200 tons of humanitarian aid consists of food, medicine, tents and clean water.
Middle East Director of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Bagus Hendraning Kobarsih said Indonesia continues to coordinate with relevant parties so a permit for a field hospital or operation of a hospital auxiliary ship can be issued.
"We are all in talks with the Egyptian authorities to obtain the permit. I think it takes time because the conditions on the ground are not conducive yet," Bagus said.
The KRI Radjiman dr. Wedyodiningrat 992 is Indonesia’s third hospital ship. It can be used for major and minor medical procedures, including brain surgery, neurosurgery, eye surgery, and dental examinations, and has psychiatric clinic facilities.
Supporting medical equipment such as CT scanners and panoramic X-ray machines, as well as laboratories are also available. The ship has an emergency room and an isolation room and can house approximately 150 patients.
It has a staff of about 16, including two general practitioners and other health personnel, such as pharmacists and nurses. However, the team can be modified for humanitarian missions outside Indonesia.
