Medcap in Ngai Giao DPR/TV/1133

Against a background of houses built with Australian-supplied materials after a recent Viet Cong attack, an Australian Army Civil Affairs Medical team this week conducted a MEDCAP in the village of Ngai Giao. Ngai Giao, about eight miles north of the 1st Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat in South Vietnam's Phuoc Tuy province, is a peasant farming community. MEDCAPS (Medical Civil Aid Projects) are conducted on a regular basis in most major towns and villages within Australia's area of operations in Phuoc Tuy. In charge of the service is the 1st Australian Civil Affairs Unit's doctor, Major Robin Harvey of Hamilton, Brisbane, Qld. With him work fully trained army medical personnel. Often, South Vietnamese Government doctors and nurses work alongside the Australians to lighten the work-load as in the case of this MECAP where 98 patients were treated in two hours. MEDCAPS are aimed at providing South Vietnamese civilians with direct medical care for easily diagnosed conditions that will respond to simple short-term treatment. Patients requiring further diagnosis or treatment are referred to district or provincial health facilities provided by the Government. In South Vietnam, Australian Diggers swap their rifles for syringes and swabs to fight the war against disease and illness. Identified personnel: Sergeant Anh; Corporal Robert Kelly of Inala, Brisbane, Qld; S/Sgt Dan Gregory of Inala, Qld.