The fifth emergency medical team from Gyeonggi-do will depart for Iraq at the Incheon Int’l Airport on July 9, 6PM.

“Gyeonggi-do Medical Support Team” is volunteering to support medical and epidemic treatment to Iraqi refugees after the war in Iraq. Total of 82 medical volunteers has been dispatched since April 21 and until June 20, 2003. These volunteer will practice medical procedures in a poor and hot environment of 40~50°C to over 300 Iraqis a day.

The provincial medical support team operates separately from the government’s restoration project. The volunteering spirit from “Global Care”, which practices medical treatment to many refugees and residents in disaster districts through the UN, and also the members from the Gyeonggi-do Hospital Association, Medical Association, Association of Korea Oriental Medicine, the Korean Pharmaceutical Association, Korean Nurses Association and other medical bodies, are participating to take care of the Iraqi refugee health.

The medical team from Gyeonggi-do is the first to arrive in Iraq than any other country in the world. The team will provide humanitarian medical aid, which will transcend national boundaries, races, religion and ideology. As they receive warm welcome from the local residents, the people of Iraq hope their struggle for survival will be lightened. The team is expected to be honor to Gyeonggi-do and to the Republic of Korea and also contribute to the international trade of Gyeonggi-do.

In addition, since Iraq is in a chaotic condition and the public peace is insecure, some of the medical equipments and medicine have been stolen on June 7, but retrieved by the help from US troops, local policemen, missionary and driver of the stolen vehicle on June 26. Actual medical treatment activities will start after the police investigation is settled.