Media Advisory
Saturday 7 June 2008
A 40-strong contingent of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) medics, including 12 civilian volunteer health specialists, will deploy by C-130 Hercules to the Cook Islands today on Exercise Tropic Twilight, with a mission to provide health support to the people of the Cook Islands.
For the next two weeks they will conduct at least 50 surgical cases at Rarotonga Public Hospital, four Advanced Cardiac Life Support courses and two First Aid courses for hospital and trainee staff.
Defence Force dentists will visit local school students to provide treatment and an environmental health survey will be undertaken at Rarotonga Public Hospital.
NZAID will provide funding for transport from outlying islands for patients requiring surgery in Rarotonga as well as for the medical supplies required for the treatments.
Commanding Officer of the 2nd Health Services Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Oiroa Kaihau says that Exercise Tropic Twilight provides opportunities for NZDF and civilian volunteer health specialists to use their skills to help others overseas.
“It is vital that we maintain our ability to deploy skilled medics, and this exercise enables the NZDF and our civilian volunteer health specialists to add to their experience. It’s great that in conjunction with NZAID, we are able to carry out much needed surgery and training for Cook Islanders.”
The contingent returns on Sunday 22 June.
ENDS
For further information please contact Capt Zac Prendergast, Defence Public Relations, on (04) 529 6031 or 021 806 926.