MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 469/2010
Friday, 8 October 2010
Australian Medical Task Force marks one month providing primary
medical aid to flood victims
Operation Pakistan Assist II
hit a milestone on Saturday the 2nd of October, marking
one month since the Australian Medical Task Force opened its doors and commenced
providing primary medical aid to the flood affected people of Kot Addu.
The Defence and civilian relief workers have had little time to sit back and celebrate
as providing relief to the many flood victims has been a full-time job.
Commander of the Australian Defence Force element, Wing Commander Ross
Wadsworth, said every day provided a new set of challenges
“Every day we find a new set of solutions and continue the important task of
providing primary medical assistance to victims of the Pakistan floods,” he said.
The Australian health facility at Camp Cockatoo has been providing
primary health
care similar to a general practice, with a ward for day treatment, basic
diagnostic
services including X-ray and pathology, a pharmacy and a preventative health
program.
Air Force Medical Officer,
Squadron Leader Simon McLaughlin,
said
the facility’s
capabilities have been well tested during its deployment and that conditions in the
region where the Australian Medical Task Force is based are improving.
“So far we have seen over 7300 patients,” Squadron Leader McLaughlin said.
“We have regularly been treating over 250
patients per day and it has been very
rewarding to be able to provide this sort of assistance where it is needed the most.”
Acting AusAID Team Leader, Brett Negus, said the support from the international
community has significantly assisted the Pakistani authorities to manage the
humanitarian situation.
“It is positive to note that the United Nations reports that 80 to 85 per cent of
displaced people have now returned home in Punjab province.
“Local health services are beginning to return to normal,” Mr Negus said.
MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
Australia has provided $75 million in humanitarian, early recovery and reconstruction
assistance to Pakistan.
Media Note:
Vision of Operation Pakistan Assist II will be fed by Defence Digital Media to
Parliament House from 11am (1100) EDT today.
Images of the Op PAK Assist II on month can be found at the following link:
Media contact:
Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
AusAID Media: 0417 680 590
Up to the minute information on Australian Defence Force operations is now
available on Twitter at twitter.com/AusDefenceForce.
NEWS 
