British medics tackle Rohingya diphtheria outbreak
More than 40 British doctors, nurses and firefighters will lead an emergency response after reports of more than 2,000 cases.
Thursday 28 December 2017 15:12, UK
A team of British medics is flying to Bangladesh to help stop a diphtheria outbreak from spreading through Rohingya refugee camps.
Around 40 doctors and nurses from a variety of backgrounds will start their work in the government-run Kutupalong camp in the Cox's Bazar region.
Once there they will be hampered by overcrowding, poor sanitation and a shortage of clean water.
This is the first time the UK Emergency Medical Team (UKEMT) has been deployed since it was certified by the World Health Organisation in 2016.
UKEMT is a collaboration between DFID, the NHS, Public Health England, UK Med - a register of NHS volunteers ready to deploy to emergencies, Handicap International and the UK Fire and Rescue Service.
UKEMT told Sky News: "Over a six-week period more than 40 British doctors, nurses and firefighters will lead the emergency response following reports of more than 2,000 suspected cases and 22 deaths from the airborne virus and this is expected to increase significantly into the New Year."
Diphtheria is a fast spreading, extremely deadly infection, and there are a reported 160 new cases every day in Cox's Bazar, which is home to more than 600,000 Rohingya people who have recently fled the violence and military persecution in Burma.
One of the team, paediatric nurse Becky Platt, said dealing with children is always difficult, medically and emotionally.
"As a paediatric nurse, and as a mother, you know that all any parent wants is for their child to be well," Ms Platt says.
"I know it's going to be tough out in Bangladesh, and very upsetting at times, but I'm keen to get there to use my skills to try and help these desperate children."
The first of the 40 medics left from Manchester Airport on Thursday and upon arrival in Cox's Bazar will provide immediate specialist life-saving care to the most vulnerable.
The remaining medics will follow in the days and weeks after.