Abstract
Following the devastating floods affecting Pakistan in 2010 an Australian Medical Task Force comprising of civilian and military members was deployed to the Pakistani town of Kot Addu to assist with the overwhelmed local health care facilities. Civilian doctors, nurses and paramedics were drawn from across Australia to participate in the mission. Support staff included Australian scientists trained in microbiology. The clinic and a basic laboratory facility were constructed on a sports field using inflatable tent structures. Over 11 000 consultations were completed during the 48 days that the clinic operated. Common conditions encountered included malaria, malnutrition, tuberculosis and diarrhoeal illness. The skills contributed by microbiologist staff allowed for rapid and definitive diagnosis being provided to patients attending the clinic. The laboratory confirmed diagnoses from deployment were provided to the local health ministry and World Health Organization (WHO) on a daily basis. Eighteen months on, the basic accommodation, nutritional and economic needs of the population need ongoing attention.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
