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HEALTH
SUPPORT |
By
CPL Simone Liebelt
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|
GPCAPT
Robinson
|
“NO-ONE
really spoke and – to use an Aussie phrase – we were just gob-smacked.”
That’s how Air Force nursing officer Group Captain Geoff Robinson
described the reaction of the ADF medical assessment team when
they arrived into tsunami-ravaged Banda Aceh.
It
was just over 48 hours after the disaster and the small team of
medical specialists – which included a nurse, doctor, preventative
health officer and two anaesthetists – were sent to Banda Aceh
to see what medical aid the ADF could provide.
“The task itself was to look at available health facilities and
assess what medical care or support was needed, but once we found
there was nothing left, then it was basically send as much of
everything as you possibly can,” GPCAPT Robinson said.
“It was a disaster beyond belief.”
After assessing the area for available health facilities, the
medical team met with Aceh’s Deputy Governor to offer what assistance
they could on behalf of the ADF.
“There were no health facilities left at all, so they were very,
very grateful for any amount of help ...
“I don’t think I will ever be able to compare it to anything ever
again ... It would have been very gratifying to stay a bit longer,
because as a nurse you naturally want to help people, but I know
in a very small way I contributed to what we’ve been able to provide
the Acehnese, which is some hope for the future.”
