Singapore sends two medical teams to Myanmar

Singapore  - Two medical teams from Singapore were sent to cyclone-hit Myanmar on Thursday under the coordination of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the health ministry said on Thursday.

Four doctors and eight nurses "will provide medical support as part of Singapore's contribution to the relief effort," the ministry said. They also brought along medical supplies to treat water-borne diseases.

The two teams were formed by personnel from various hospitals.

They departed on a Singapore Armed Force C-130 aircraft from Paya Lebar Air Base on Thursday for a two-week period.

About 134,000 people have died or are still missing after the May 2-3 cyclone. The Myanmar government has estimated damage at more than 10 billion US dollars.

Myanmar agreed at a special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers Monday to let the grouping lead aid efforts after limiting aid workers from Western countries from entering the country.

ASEAN and the United Nations are holding an international aid pledging conference in Yangon Sunday. (dpa)