Commonwealth sending emergency doctors to Maldives
19 January 2005
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon announced on the 19th of January a new programme to bring medical doctors from around the Commonwealth to work in Maldives.
 |
| "Women and children have borne the brunt of the disaster" |
The Commonwealth Secretariat is looking for doctors with expertise in internal medicine; paediatrics; anaesthetics; general surgery; obstetrics and gynaecology; and orthopaedics, as well as general medicine. They will each work in Maldives for between 3 and 12 months.
"Women and children have borne the brunt of the disaster," said Mr McKinnon. "My hope is that in a short time, we can deliver up to 50 experienced doctors to assist the Maldives Government in the delivery and co-ordination of medical assistance. I am told this will make a real difference to their health system. The doctors will mainly be working in the settlements for displaced people and overstretched health centres."
The Secretariat has already deployed a Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, Colonel Linton Graham of Jamaica, who has been supporting the Maldives Government's assessment of the country's requirements and will make recommendations for the future. "He is now coming to the end of his two-week mission to Maldives and will be sending me his report very soon," Mr McKinnon confirmed.
For details of how to volunteer to be a part of the emergency medical team and terms of reference click here.
delicious
digg
reddit
facebook
stumbleupon
News feeds