Singapore proposed on Thursday that the World Health Organization (WHO) set up a site office in the island state for its operations in the region.

According to local media reports, Singapore will provide the needed support such as officers, telecommunication and logistics to supplement WHO's relief efforts for the tsunami victims.

The reports said that WHO is still evaluating the offer.

Another medical team made up of six doctors and six nurses set off to Banda Aceh on Thursday morning, following about 100 Singaporean medical personnel who have already been working in tsunami-hit areas.

Reports said that about 500 volunteers, mostly nurses, are on standby.

Personnel onboard the first helicopter landing ship dispatched by Singapore is setting up a landing site in Indonesia's Meulaboh, an action critical for bringing more resources and relief into the worst-hit area.

Medical people who came along with the ship has established medical centers and began to perform surgery operations in Meulaboh, which is in addition to the primary healthcare services already being rendered, reports said.

The second ship of the kind is expected to arrive in Meulaboh on Thursday afternoon to further help the relief efforts there.

In Singapore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed on Thursday that eight Singaporeans died in the deadly tsunami, one more than the figure on Wednesday.

The number of the uncontactable dropped to 17 from 20 a day ago, while another 15 are still missing. 

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2005)