Healer: Maj Kylie Fardell checks the stocks of medicine. She is the only Australian military doctor in Baghdad.

Photo by Capt Delizia Costa, 1JPAU

Our doctor in position of responsibility

AS THE only Australian military doctor in Baghdad, Maj Kylie Fardell’s main role is the Australian contingent’s health planner.

In this role she is responsible for providing advice to the commander on medical issues relating to the health and well-being of all Australian military personnel in the country.

She also provides technical guidance to the various military medics supporting the Australian Headquarters in Baghdad, the Secdet and the AATT-I.

Maj Fardell said a feature of the deployment had been her ability to work first-hand with some of the local Iraqi population who had suffered injuries as a result of terrorist actions.

On being a doctor, Maj Fardell said that what she enjoyed most was having to constantly learn.

“Learning is terrific and study is a hobby. [I enjoy] the interaction with people and the responsibility to your patients.

“I am in a privileged position as I see people when they are the most vulnerable.”

After almost six months away from home, the thing she appreciates most about Australia is the “Australian character, seeing that it really is unique among all other cultures.”