Army medical team treats 206 in Goilala

MEDICS from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) assisted by Australian defence staff (ADS) treated a total of 206 people for various ailments around Goilala district, Central, last week.
The medics in a joint foot-mounted patrol with the ADS, AusAID, the Central and Goilala district administrations treated people in the villages of Koila (25), Erume (26), Kariarita (eight), Kerau (87) and Tawuni (60) last week.
The main ailments treated were arthritis, malaria and intestinal worms.
As a separate but related activity, Central district health workers immunised more than 100 children with the support of AusAID.
The medicine used for both programmes were provided by Australia.
The patrol was the practical phase of the PNGDF patrol medics course.
The patrol comprised 16 male and two female PNGDF medics and was again led by Australian Warrant Officer Class 2 Mal Woods and Sgt Jerry Aihi from Goldie River Training Depot.
AusAID representative in Central Colin Wiltshire, Goilala district administrator Titus Garau, his councillors and health staff, accompanied the five-day patrol.
“It was a great experience to hike up into the highlands of the Central to provide valuable and much needed treatment and medicines to remote communities that find it hard to access health care,” Woods said.
He said the patrols were excellent practical training for PNGDF combat medics under field conditions.