Australia has sent a medical assistance team to the Solomon Islands to help local health workers combat a growing COVID-19 outbreak.
In response to a request from the Solomons government, an eight-person Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) was deployed on a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17A aircraft on Saturday.
The plane also carried 37,800 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines for the islands.
"The multi-disciplinary team includes specialists in emergency medicine, infectious disease control, logistics and occupational therapy," said a joint statement by Foreign Minister Marise Payne, Defence Minister Peter Dutton and Pacific Minister Zed Seselja on Saturday.
The team will help local health authorities with mentoring and advice on the clinical management of COVID-19 cases, the distribution of critical health supplies and infection prevention and control.
The AUSMAT deployment is in addition to Australia's contribution of 300,800 AstraZeneca vaccine doses, and 19 tonnes of emergency medical supplies, including 100 oxygen concentrators and 11 COVID-19 country kits containing PPE and medical stores that have been delivered by the RAAF since January 23.
Australian Associated Press
