Three SA Health staff will travel to Vanuatu as part of the Federal Government’s response to the natural disaster that hit the country last week.

Dr James Doube, a doctor based on Kangaroo Island, will head up the Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) Bravo team of 16 health personnel as Mission Team Leader alongside Dr Cat Balfour as Clinical Team Leader and anaesthetist Dr Jeremy Brammer.

The three SA doctors work at the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, and Central Adelaide Local Health Network respectively, as well as SA Ambulance Service’s MedSTAR team.

The team will work alongside the Vanuatu Ministry of Health to support the health emergency response following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck on 17 December.

Team Bravo replaces the six person Australian Medical Assistance Team deployed on 18 December.

Dr Doube has extensive experience working in remote and often challenging environments, having previously served AUSMAT in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan, and Timor Leste.

He was awarded an SA Emergency Services Medal in April 2021 for outstanding efforts and service during the 2019-20 bushfires on Kangaroo Island and has served with the Australian Antarctic Division.

“I’ve been part of AUSMAT for 12 years and feel privileged to be able to go on this mission. The team we have here today are an incredible group of experienced clinicians, and I know that we will do our upmost best to help the people of Vanuatu,” Dr Doube says.

The SA Health Disaster Management Branch oversees the AUSMAT SA Coordination Team with support from numerous volunteer agencies, including the Metropolitan fire service. 

It will maintain oversight of the deployment and be the initial point of contact if local coordination is required for the duration of the Bravo team deployment. 

SA Health and SAAS have many staff and volunteers who are in the Australian Defence Force and support staff to be released from normal duties to attend devastating incidents like this.

AUSMAT is an official Australian Government multidisciplinary healthcare team who can respond to national or international health emergencies.

The doctors flew to Brisbane yesterday, Sunday 22 December, to form part of the national contingent and then to Vanuatu today. They are expected back in Australia in early January 2025.

Minister for Health & Wellbeing Chris Picton has thanked the three South Australian doctors, who are giving up Christmas with their families to help the people of Vanuatu..

“Experienced clinicians from SA Health have regularly answered the call - they were on the ground in Banda Aceh after the tsunami in 2004, and in the aftermath of the Bali bombings in 2002. 

“Hard-working clinicians like James, Cat and Jeremy are always putting the lives of others first and are ready to step up in a time of need.