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MASH is coming to aid quake hit Pak

     Washington: The US military is preparing to airlift a 56-bed mobile hospital from Germany to quake-hit Pakistan to provide medical facilities to those injured in October 8th earthquake. The hospital is likely to arrive in Pakistan within the next few days. The hospital - MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) - has 40 doctors and nurses who are capable of performing up to 20 operations a day, and at the same time give emergency treatment to the survivors with less serious injuries. With a total crew of 200, the MASH can be expanded from the basic 36 beds to 56 beds, if required. "All our doctors are excited about helping the quake-hit people. We are expecting a lot of delayed trauma injuries, crush injuries..........we are ready for a long haul," The News quoted Col. Angel Lugo, commander of the German-based 212th MASH, as saying. He added that doctors could treat injuries within hours and operating rooms would be installed and made to run in 12-24 hours. Sgt John Lesmerises, in charge of airlift logistics, said, "We were put on a state of readiness several days ago to provide medical support, we are prepared to go and will move within days."