Overview
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) contracted International SOS to provide primary and emergency medical support, medical supplies and dedicated Aero Medical Evacuation (AME) for police and defence personnel engaged in active operations supporting Operation LILIA in the Solomon Islands.
Problem
The Solomon Islands suffered severe civil unrest in November 2021. At the request of the Government of Solomon Islands, the Australian Government led a multinational and multi-agency support effort including police and defence personnel from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Given the nature of the mission, it was essential that the Australian Government had a trusted partner who could work swiftly and efficiently to provide medical care to deployed forces during active operations.
Solution
Within four days of contract execution, International SOS deployed an entire medical team and 85kg of medical equipment and consumables to Honiara on a Royal Australian Air Force flight. A dedicated AME was established in Queensland with a secured air ambulance. We liaised with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to secure a ground ambulance for use during emergencies in Honiara. Following initial mobilisation, we supported Solomon Island nationals and the Australian Government during a COVID-19 outbreak across Honiara.
Impact
Our medical team remained on hand to provide primary and resuscitative healthcare and medical evacuations to Australian and regional personnel supporting an active operation. Our dedicated AME service has provided a medevac from Honiara to Brisbane within 14 hours of receiving the initial request from Honiara. In the context of COVID-19, our medical team remained flexible and responsive to changing quarantine requirements and the need for additional services at short notice.
Since 21 December 2022, our team has provided nearly 4,500 occasions of care, rotated 27 staff to support four 24/7 medical positions, delivered over 500kg of medical supplies and consumables, and delivered nearly 20 first aid training courses to military, police and emergency personnel from across the Pacific region.