Medical personnel helped enhance Nauru’s medical capabilities while supporting Operation Render Safe in May.
Lance Corporal Natasha Hall, an Army medical technician, oversaw onsite care to explosive ordnance disposal technicians and was prepared to initiate and coordinate medical procedures in the unlikely event of an emergency.
“My responsibility is to provide medical support for the contingent while in Nauru. This can include emergency care, primary care, medical advice, education and even casualty evacuation,” she said.
“Providing primary care to personnel performing render safe procedures while deployed is imperative to ensure they are fit to carry out their role.”
Operation Render Safe is the ADF-led multinational operation to remove explosive remnants of war from World War 2 in Pacific island countries.
This iteration included personnel from the United States Armed Forces, New Zealand Defence Force, Royal Canadian Navy and French Armed Forces in New Caledonia.
Apart from providing expertise to the multinational contingent and working alongside local Nauru medical professionals, Lance Corporal Hall visited the Republic of Nauru Hospital facilities.
“Working in Nauru allowed us to test capabilities and supply chains while helping support our Pacific-nation partners,” she said.
“It provides an opportunity to collaborate with other nations, build relationships and learn from different practices. It highlights our strengths and weaknesses to enhance future operational capabilities and effectiveness.”
Lance Corporal Hall was a combat medical technician and an operating department practitioner in the British Army before joining the ADF.
“It’s exciting seeing Nauru and having the opportunity to collaborate with my Nauru Government counterparts and other medical teams from our international partners,” she said.
“It’s been a fantastic opportunity to learn from each other and develop relationships.
“It is a great feeling to know we’re making Nauru safer for its people.”
During her 17 years serving in the military, she has deployed to Afghanistan, Brunei, Africa, Europe and Papua New Guinea.
“Military life enabled me to move to Australia and call this home while also travelling the world,” she said.
“I’m forever grateful for the opportunities and the life it has enabled me to create.”
