Healthy outlook for 3HSB medics

Clean bill: Maj Raffaele Scicchitano and SSgt Danee Davis look over some paperwork.

Grounded: Flt-Lt Allen Hoffman, a doctor and MH3 Robert Harkness, from USS Kitty Hawk, were deployed to Camp Rocky to assist at the RAP. Flt-Lt Hoffmann said the combined Australian and US medical team were one team with one plight – to keep people healthy. Photos by Lt Simone Heyer

By Lt Simone Heyer

KEEPING a body of troops healthy is no easy task, but one that fell easily on the shoulders of Maj Raffaele Scicchitano and the members of 3HSB during Exercise Talisman Sabre.

3HSB was the second shift of health care professionals that took over the small health care facility at Camp Rocky, from June 18 to the end of ex.

Maj Scicchitano was the head of the primary health care team and LDU at the RAP. In the civilian world he’s a professor in respiratory medicine at Royal Adelaide Hospital and University of Adelaide.

His skills were vital in the early detection and treatment of the flu, and preventing it from spreading to the 17000 personnel on the exercise.

He said substantial proactive work was done by his well-trained staff for flu treatment.

“We diagnosed the first three cases of the influenza processed by EHF3 (Air Force field hospital). From there a containment ward was set up, and a containment team raised.”

Mass influenza immunisations were administered to personnel at the base in attempt to prevent the flu reaching forces at SWBTA.

Apart from treating flu treatment, the RAP saw general cases of sickness and injury.

Maj Scicchitano said the RAP was open for anyone who got injured or sick on base, as well as a clearing station for people on the exercise who come through EHF3.

He said that in addition to routine medical work, the medical staff also conducted unit training.