Fiji has developed the Pacific's first WHO verified Emergency Medical Team.
Called FEMAT for short the unit is capable of deploying a fully functioning clinic anywhere in the Pacific within 24 to 72 hours of a natural or man-made disaster occurring.
The team includes four doctors, 11 nurses, a pharmacist, an environmental specialist and three logisticians who are able to provide international standard healthcare to up to 100 patients a day.
Sean Casey from the World Health Organisation's Pacific office, told Koroi Hawkins achieving the capability is significant, especially in such a disaster prone region.
FEMAT's field hospital. Photo: Fiji Government
