Media release
20 October 2010
For immediate release
ADF medical team treats people in Morobe villages
About 700 people with various medical conditions in the villages of Omaru, Irom, Wombon, Kamsiling, Hobu and Wangung in the Morobe Province, were treated by an Australian Defence Force (ADF) medical team this month.
The team is part of a group of ADF personnel who have been based out of Igam Barracks this month, conducting a training exercise with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF). As part of the exercise, the team conducted Medical Civil Aid Programs in the villages.
ADF Captain Ange Rodgers who took part in the exercise said the team treated medical conditions ranging from malaria, skin infections and musculoskeletal pain, to tuberculosis. Worming treatment was also given to everyone including the dogs and pigs.
“Each day the team assessed and treated between 50 and 300 patients per village, with an estimated total of 700 patients over the 6 days,” Captain Rodgers said.
The team consisted of a doctor, two medics, a physiotherapist and an environmental health technician, and were supported by ADF and PNGDF soldiers, Australian Defence Staff from Igam Barracks, and Christine, the nurse from Igam Barracks and wife of the Commanding Officer of the Engineer Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Keru.
“At each village we were greeted by smiling villagers who were eager for medical support, and excited to show us around their village.
“While the communities benefited from the programs, we too appreciated the opportunity to work in the villages, gain experience in tropical medicine, meet wonderful people and share their stories, laughs, and plenty of coconuts and bananas,” Captain Rodgers said.