Commonwealth sending emergency doctors

Commonwealth is to send emergency doctors to the Maldives, a press release by the Commonwealth said.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has appealed to doctors to help the Maldives.

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 disaster relief co-ordinator sent by Commonwealth to help the government to assess the damage and make recommendations has almost completed his two-week mission and will send his report to the Secretary-General soon, the press release said.

Terms of Reference for CSAP Volunteers in the Health Sector in response to the tsunami disaster in the Maldives