| Doctor Suraiya has been head of Lhong Raya Hospital in Aceh since September 2004; only a few months before the tsunami struck the region. Although the hospital building was not affected by the disaster, Doctor Suraiya and her staff were struggling to cope with the increased number of patients in what was a small and poorly equipped clinic (or pukesmas as clinics are known locally).
Using funds from the Disasters and Emergency Committee (DEC) Islamic Relief rebuilt Lhong Raya, also providing up-to-date medical equipment, furniture and staff housing.
The new hospital now treats around 70 patients a day.
Doctor Suraiya – who is always on hand in an emergency due to the fact that she lives next door – loves the new hospital. “I love the pukesmas colour,” she says, referring to the cheery pinks and yellows which make the Lhong Raya one of a kind.
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