By
FLGOFF Simon Paton
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Flight
Lieutenant Sam Galam has a frontline role in the fight against
diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
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Photo
by FLGOFF Simon Paton
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FOR
Flight Lieutenant Sam Galam, making a contribution to East Timor’s
future comes in a very different way than many of the UN peacekeepers
serving in that country.
As a pathology scientist, FLTLT Galam is responsible for the collection
and investigation of blood to support the health needs of Australia’s
troops serving in East Timor.
He analyses blood that may be contaminated with the deadly malaria
and dengue fever diseases.
FLTLT Galam said the opportunity to investigate blood that may
have been infected with these diseases would help doctors determine
an appropriate remedy.
“East Timor remains a malaria haven and our work ensures
doctors can properly treat the various forms of malaria evident
here,” he said.
Apart from blood analysis, the establishment of a walk-in donor
pool has enabled members of AUSBATT VIII to provide stocks of
blood to maintain supplies for emergencies.
“Blood has a limited shelf life and having access to fresh
blood supplies ensures that when and where necessary we have access
to healthy blood without having to call blood stocks in,”
FLTLT Galam said.
He returns to Australia this month having contributed since May
to Operation Citadel.
