Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Defence in light of the Singapore Armed Forces' contribution of a two-man medical team to the hospital ship, FS Dixmude, berthed in Egypt to treat casualties received from Gaza (a) whether an update can be provided on the situation faced on the ground by the SAF team; and (b) what are the plans to assess the needs to increase Singapore's contribution of medical expertise or supplies and other humanitarian aid to casualties in Gaza in the near future.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)'s deployment of a medical team aboard the French Armed Forces' (FAF) FS Dixmude was part of Singapore's continued efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians.

The SAF deployed a two-man medical team comprising Lieutenant-Colonel (Dr) Nazirul Hannan Abdul Aziz and Military Expert 3 Jimmy Woo Ying Ming, who boarded the FS Dixmude on 18 January 2024. Working together with the FAF and other international partners, they provided medical aid and post operative nursing care to civilian casualties from Gaza, including oncological and trauma patients with injuries ranging from amputated limbs, fractures and infections. Our medical team ended their deployment on 27 January 2024, with the departure of the FS Dixmude from Egypt.

The SAF will continue to monitor the situation in the region closely and assess how we can contribute further in humanitarian assistance to Gaza.