RAF Medics Respond To Major Medical Incident In South Sudan

Ghanaian UN Military Troop carrier overturned as RAF Medical Services personnel respond to the major medical incident. (Picture: Royal Air Force)

RAF Medical Services personnel had to respond to a major medical incident on the second day of deployment to South Sudan.

The RAF healthcare personnel serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan had just taken over the UN field hospital in Bentiu South Sudan, from the Royal Navy, when a Ghanaian UN Peacekeeper troop-carrying vehicle was involved in a road traffic incident and overturned into a waterway. 

Several Ghanaian Peacekeepers were injured -  three were transferred by a medical evacuation helicopter to the field hospital for treatment.

Six other Ghanaian casualties were treated at the scene before being sent to the Ghanaian Medical Centre.

The Senior Nursing Officer, Flight Lieutenant Sonia Vanner said:

“Heading into a major-medical incident within hours of raising the RAF Ensign gave us the opportunity to test-drive the skills acquired during our arduous pre-deployment training. 

"It was a great testament to the team and our training that it went seamlessly."

The UK manned UN field hospital was initially established early in 2017, to provide secondary healthcare medical treatment, stabilise ill or injured UN personnel and conduct Damage Controlled Surgery in the event of traumatic injuries. 

For the first time in 27 years, the hospital is being led and manned by RAF healthcare personnel.

Flt Lt Vanner described the facility:

“The hospital is surprisingly big and you have to remind yourself occasionally you are inside a tent, it really is amazing what capability we have.”

The RAF Doctors, Nurses and Medics are drawn from nine different RAF Units and are deployed under the Tactical Medical Wing based at RAF Brize Norton. 

In South Sudan, they provide secondary healthcare for over 1800 deployed UN personnel in the event of serious illness or injury.