Two senior Solomon Islands clinicians have successfully completed the Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) Surgical Team Member Course held in Darwin, Australia, from 28 July to 1 August 2025.
The participants – Dr Delwyn Pitakoe, Anaesthetist, and Dr Rooney Jagilly, General Surgeon – joined fellow health professionals from across Australia and the Pacific, including nine delegates from Pacific Island nations.
The training was delivered by the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC), an Australian Government agency recognised as one of the leading disaster response organisations in the Asia–Pacific region. NCCTRC operates one of only three World Health Organization-certified Type II Emergency Medical Teams in the region, capable of deploying a fully functional field hospital in disaster settings.
The participation of Dr Pitakoe and Dr Jagilly is a significant step in building the operational capacity of the Solomon Islands Medical Assistance Team (SOLMAT). Their involvement strengthens the country’s ability to deploy a fully functional surgical cell during emergencies and mass-casualty events.
“This training enhances our national readiness to respond to disasters and improves our ability to save lives in resource-limited environments,” said Dr Jagilly.
The course covered trauma care in austere environments, emergency obstetrics and gynaecology, critical care in disasters, teamwork, communication, and ethical decision-making in crisis situations. Training combined lectures, group discussions, and hands-on practical sessions, culminating in a mass disaster simulation exercise that allowed participants to apply their skills in a realistic, high-pressure environment.
The program was conducted at the NCCTRC Bees Creek Training Facility outside Darwin, where a WHO Type II field hospital was established. The facility included an emergency and triage area, inpatient wards, an operating theatre, and recovery units. To simulate real deployment conditions, participants camped in tents, ate ready-to-eat rations, and used outdoor facilities.
The Pacific Islands delegation’s participation was made possible through NCCTRC’s Regional Engagement Program (REP), which funded travel, accommodation, and course fees.
The Ministry of Health acknowledges the NCCTRC, REP and AUSMAT for the invitation, funding, and delivery of world-class training.
The Ministry of Health is looking forward to continuing and strengthening partnerships with NCCTRC, REP and AUSMAT to build disaster response capacity in the Solomon Islands, maintaining active support for SOLMAT’s operational readiness.
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