Medics fly in, more set to go

More New Zealand medical staff were heading to Samoa last night.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said an emergency doctor and nurse from Auckland were on their way.

A further six staff - two nurses, a lab technician and three health protection officers - were on standby to travel in the next few days, he said.

New Zealand was continuing to supply equipment, medication and wound-care supplies to Samoa, which had enabled the hospital in Apia to use a fourth operating theatre.

The New Zealand teams performed 27 operations on Monday, 15 on Tuesday and further surgery yesterday, including surgical cleaning of wounds and setting broken limbs.

An Air Force jet returned to NZ yesterday with a body, evacuated patients and family members.

- NZPA