Zeynep Atmaca for Oksijen Gazetesi
Spanish Field Hospital Opens in Hatay
In the Arsuz district of Hatay, teams arriving from Spain have set up a field hospital with a capacity of 200 patients. The hospital, established in the parking area of Arsuz Expo, officially opened its doors today. The operation’s coordinator, Ceren Cerciler, shared details about the hospital.
The “Red Vests” Established the START Hospital
The Spanish aid team START, which can be translated into Turkish as the Spanish Technical Aid Response Team, consists of healthcare professionals and support staff who are ready to deploy within 72 hours in response to humanitarian crises anywhere in the world. The team arrived in Hatay over the weekend.
Known as the “Red Vests” due to the red vests worn by its members in the field, the team set up the hospital within 48 hours in an area allocated by local authorities and the Ministry of Health.
22 Operating Rooms
An 85-person medical team, including 2 surgeons, 2 pediatric specialists, 3 traumatologists, 5 emergency medicine specialists, 2 gynecologists, 1 radiologist, 1 psychiatrist, 1 psychologist, and 1 physiotherapist, has begun treating patients at the hospital established in the Arsuz Expo parking area.
The hospital has a daily capacity of 200 patients and includes 22 operating rooms. Connected to the emergency call center 112, START is one of the three largest field hospitals in Europe and aims to treat as many patients as possible.
Doctors Arrived with the Spanish Navy
The doctors and equipment arrived in Turkey aboard four Spanish Navy ships. Operating under the NATO SOFA agreement and in coordination with Turkish authorities, the ships support humanitarian aid distribution, first aid, reconstruction, debris removal, treatment and evacuation of the injured, and, when required, ensuring a safe environment and freedom of movement.
A force of 800 marines with vehicles is also on board, supporting Turkish authorities in these efforts.
“Spain Has Been One of the Countries Providing the Most Support”
The official coordinator of the operation, Spanish and Turkish national Ceren Cerciler, stated:
“From the very first day, we worked with full dedication. Spain has been one of the countries providing the most support to Turkey, with a team approaching 2,000 people. Under the leadership of Spain’s Ambassador to Turkey, Javier Hergueta, an effective collaboration was established. From Spanish rescue teams to Turkish medical teams, from the 85-person Spanish hospital team to the bus drivers, we witnessed one of the finest examples of solidarity.”
