Health care for Irish troops in Liberia 'a concern'

An army organisation has expressed concern the medical support for Irish troops due to be deployed in Liberia is insufficient.

What we are looking for is ministerial assurance that the required level of care will be available from when the troops deploy. Commdt Adrian Ryan of the Army Officers' Association

According to Commdt Adrian Ryan of the Army Officers' Association (RACO), there is a lack of clear information about the availability of medical services for what is expected to be one of the most dangerous mission undertaken by Irish peacekeepers.

He told ireland.comtwo army doctors would travel with the 430 troops and provide GP-level care. However, for illness or injury requiring more extensive treatment, the army is relying on services provided by a Bangladeshi or Royal Jordanian medical corps.

However, these units intend taking over an empty and rundown hospital facility. Commdt Ryan said it is not clear if the required standards of care or equipment can be provided.

"What we are looking for is ministerial assurance that the required level of care will be available from when the troops deploy [in early January]."

Compounding the RACO concerns is that "the [Defence Forces] Medical Corps are facing a serious deterioration of services due to manpower shortages", according to Commdt Ryan.

This is because army doctors are paid less than those in private GP practices or in hospitals. He said assurances were needed that the Medical Corps will be able to sustain its level of service beyond the initial six months deployment in the war-ravaged country.

The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith is due to address the two-day RACO conference later today. The Dáil is to vote on the mission tomorrow.