KAISERSLAUTERN (Germany), Oct 16: US army medics on Sunday were preparing to airlift a 56-bed mobile hospital from Germany to Pakistan within the next few days for what could be a long stay to help wounded earthquake survivors.

With 40 doctors and nurses capable of performing up to 20 operations a day and at the same time give emergency treatment to others with less serious injuries, the army is sending their Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) to the quake-hit region.

“We are ready to go and our soldiers are excited to help Pakistanis,” Colonel Angel Lugo told journalists as dozens of camouflage-coloured trucks and generators were ready to roll to transport aircraft at nearby Ramstein Air Base.

“All our doctors are excited about helping,” said Mr Lugo, commander of the German-based 212th MASH with a crew of 200 that can expand the basic 36-bed hospital by 20 beds if required.

Although it was unclear when or where the hospital will be transferred on board several planes to Pakistan, a six-hour flight, Mr Lugo said doctors could treat injuries within hours and operating rooms would be up and running in 12 to 24 hours.

“We’ll be able to treat whatever comes through the front door and we’re ready to operate,” he added. “We’re expecting a lot of delayed trauma injuries, crush injuries.”

Mr Lugo said he did know how long the deployment would last but added were ready for a long haul.

President George W. Bush pledged $50 million to Pakistan.

The United States has sent helicopters and dropped relief supplies by air. The Bush administration was criticised for a slow response to the Asia-Pacific tsunami and Hurricane Katrina at home.

“We were put on a state of readiness several days ago to provide medical support, we are prepared to go and will move within days,” said Mr Lugo when asked why the MASH was still in Germany a week after the earthquake. “We’re waiting for planes.”

John Lesmerises, in charge of airlift logistics, said the soldiers were eager to get to Pakistan to help victims of the quake that has killed 38,000 and left one million homeless.

“MASH is perfect for the job because of the size of the hospital and our motivation. We can do a lot of good.”—Reuters