Travelling on the USNS Mercy, the NZDF team will provide humanitarian and medical assistance as part of Pacific Partnership 08. (WN08-0035-30)
5 August 2008
Lieutenant Donna Hammond enjoys an adventure, and today another begins as she uses her medical skills in an humanitarian assistance mission to Papua New Guinea called Pacific Partnership ’08 (PP08).
PP08 is the US Pacific Fleet deployment of United States Nursing Ship (USNS) Mercy to South East Asia and the Pacific providing medical, dental and engineering support to the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, East Timor and PNG.
The former Central Southland College student will be working on wards aboard USNS Mercy, and with four operating theaters she will be kept very busy during her time on the vessel.
Lt Hammond will pre-screen surgical patients, assess them for care, prepare patients for operation, recovery, and post operation, and then the patients discharge back into the community.
“Working with the local people ashore, the sailors from the US Navy and within a maritime environment will present both a challenge and opportunity,” says Lt Hammond.
The ship has a surgical suite and 50 ward beds plus lab, radiology, pharmacy, veterinary services and supports three shore-based health care teams. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is providing eight navy, army and air force personnel to the mission. Although the mission to PNG is her first deployment in a military capacity, the ex-Southlander has an adventurous streak, enjoying adventure sports and sailing.
Lt Hammond joined the NZ Army Territorial Force in 2001 as a medic and became a full-time nursing officer attached with base medical flight at Whenuapai Air Base in November 2007. Her military service dates further back however, having originally served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force from 1982-1988.
The eight members of the NZDF will be with Pacific Partnership ’08 from 5-25 August, reaffirming the NZDF’s commitment to support to the Pacific community.
ENDS
For more information please contact Bas Bolyn, Defence Public Relations on 04 496 0285 or 021 478 574.