Apec gives army opportunity to test medical system, capabilities

By Glenda Awikiak
APEC events have given the PNG Defence Force an opportunity to test its medical system and emergency response capabilities, officials say.
Director of the PNGDF Hospital (Taurama) Peter Kaminiel said the force assessed its strengths and weaknesses in those areas through various training.
Kaminiel spoke at the end of three weeks’ intensive training at the Taurama Military Barracks for officers to enhance medical and theirs knowledge and skills on responding to mass causalities.
“We have a lot of limitations and challenges and given the opportunity that the government recommended for us to undergo training for our officers, we will be able to identify those limitations and address them in order to be effective in emergency responses,” he said.
“We not only need these skills and knowledge for the Apec but also for natural and man-made disasters.
“We have conducted the training at this time in order to have enough time to address our limitations and be ready come November.
“If it is manpower, then we would have enough time to address our manpower issues in the military to support Apec meetings”.
Taurama Military Hospital commander Thomas Vinit said the training was conducted to equip systems and efforts to contribute to the Apec and the general medical team and be part of the preparation for Apec.
“We had to train our officers to be effective as first responders of emergency situations and how they respond is vital. We would be having about 70 officers in three locations during the Apec for this response effort,” Vinit said.
“We will have troops posted at each designated location and how would we respond when there is a bomb blast or terrorist attack? We have to be equipped to save as many lives as possible in mass casualty situations.
“Welfare of our servicemen who are out there providing security is important as well as an ordinary person in any casualty.” The military medical team will work alongside St John Ambulance, Health Department and other partners in emergencies and take them to three recommended hospitals – Pacific International Hospital, Port Moresby General Hospital and Paradise Private Hospital.