A five-man medical team from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) returned to Singapore today after completing a dental project in Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan.

The SAF team, led by LTC Lee Kuan Chung, went there in May, as part of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). This humanitarian assistance project is part of Singapore's overall contribution to the international humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

"The SAF medical team made significant contributions to the dental health and education in Bamiyan Province, which included the establishment of the province¡¦s first dental clinic at the Bamiyan Hospital," said a statement from the Singapore's Ministry of Defence today.

"Governor of Bamiyan Dr Habiba Sarabi officiated at the opening ceremony of the dental clinic on 10 June 2007. The team conducted a dental assistant course and provided on-the-job training for an Afghan dentist and two Afghan dental assistants, who will continue to run the clinic.

"Along with the Afghan dental team, the SAF team provided dental health care and services to the local population for a period of eight weeks. Together, the Afghan and SAF teams provided dental services to over 900 patients, performing over 1,200 procedures. The team also conducted a dental awareness workshop for 18 Afghan personnel, and participated in community projects with the NZDF PRT. "
 
 Another five-man SAF engineering team, led by LTC Ong Chia Chong, is still in Bamiyan.

They arrived there on July 28, as as part of the NZDF PRT, to oversee bridge construction and repair projects in central Bamiyan.
They will leave on Oct 31.