Media Room: Media Releases
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Defence |
| 06/02/2005 | MSPA 53/05 |
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Medical specialists return from Operation Sumatra Assist The first rotation of Army Medical Officers returned to Australia today after a one-month deployment to Banda Aceh. The members were welcomed at Sydney Airport this morning by the Commander of the Logistic Support Force, Brigadier Mick Kehoe. "The Medical Officers were part of the first group to be deployed on Operation Sumatra Assist. They spent the last month tirelessly working in field hospitals and have made a very meaningful contribution to the people of Aceh. They have made a real and tangible difference," Brigadier Kehoe said. "The dedication to their work, their professionalism and incredible efforts in often difficult and demanding situations are a testament to their training and preparation." The returning team of medical officers are all Reservists, mostly from the Holsworthy-based, 1st Health Support Battalion. The group consisted of 2 General Surgeons, 2 Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2 Anaesthetists, 1 Intensivist, 1 Public Health Physician, 1 General Physician, and 1 Gynaecologist. The medical officers worked in the ANZAC Field Hospital Surgical Ward, as well as the temporary, tented surgical facility at the front of the Banda Aceh Public Hospital (Rumasakit Zainoel Abidin). Since their arrival, 185 surgical operations have been conducted. Most of the surgical procedures conducted were lower limb amputations and wound cleaning. The surgeons were also involved in seven childbirths (including emergency caesareans) that were conducted in the temporary surgical facility, or the ANZAC Wards, and assisted with a further five childbirths in the Poly Clinic. The Reservists will now return to their civilian professions. A number of them work in Sydney’s Liverpool and St Vincent’s Hospitals and also have private practices.
Media contacts: Lieutenant Helen Suttie – 0422 946 953 Defence Media Liaison – (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664 |
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Issued
by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs,
Department of Defence,
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