From Pte John Wellfare in East Timor

THE withdrawal of ADF medical staff will be sorely missed by the East Timor population as they await the construction of more hospitals.

The Health Support Team had made a significant contribution to the East Timorese people during the years of operations, both by providing direct medical aid to individuals or helping to boost confidence in local doctors and medical facilities.

HST nurse Lt Gary Steer, who recently completed a three-month tour in East Timor before withdrawing at the end of Op Citadel, said the role of medical staff stretched far beyond the main task of treating injuries sustained by soldiers.

He said that while Maliana hospital had only basic facilities, they had some very good doctors working there.

“One of the ladies that came had a still birth and we did an emergency c-section on her,” he said

“[The] doctor at Maliana hospital said that the presentations for pregnant women was about 50 per month, but after this lady came in and news got out that, [although] her baby had died, she had received good care, they started getting about 200 women per month.

“So there was a four-fold increase in the number of people who were willing to go to the doctor, to see the hospital about their babies.

“We’ve had a number of our nurses go to Maliana [to] educate the workers there on things like infection control, basic sterile procedures, clean running water, regular electricity supply, all those things.

“But there are new hospitals being built I understand, that’s all in the pipeline.”

Lt Steer said in the interim period there was still some work to be done.

“I guess I can speak for a number of health personnel who take home the fact that we have so much in Australia and that we can offer so much to developing countries, so it’s been quite rewarding in that sense.”

The UN will provide medical support for ADF members serving on Op Spire.

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