Modernised medical centre reopens at Camp Baird
Headquarters Middle East (HQME) has reopened a state-of-the-art medical facility at Camp Baird, Al Minhad Air Base (AMAB), the United Arab Emirates.
CAPTION: Medical personnel from the ADF, British Armed Forces and New Zealand Defence Force outside the refurbished medical facility at Camp Baird, United Arab Emirates. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photos by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.
The facility was officially reopened just before the transfer of authority between Captain Brett Westcott, Royal Australian Navy, and Group Captain Garth Herriot, Royal Australian Air Force.
The refurbished building was the primary medical centre during the height of operational deployments in the Middle East, before being scaled down as part of the regional drawdown.
Squadron Leader Tara Kinnane, HQME’s doctor who has deployed to AMAB on multiple rotations, said the new facility significantly enhanced medical capability for the ADF and partner nations, particularly in support of contingency operations.
“The expanded medical facility enables us to deliver comprehensive primary care to the personnel based at or moving through Camp Baird on their way to forward locations, including supported operations or activities in the Middle East,” she said.
“The reopened centre now provides dedicated space not only for doctors and nurses, but also for psychologists, padres and additional health staff, as required.
“Previously, our capacity at HQME was restricted by the small shared space that accommodated ADF, UK and NZDF [New Zealand Defence Force] medical teams. The newly refurbished facility allows us to fully support current and future operational requirements.”
Squadron Leader Trent Blinco, the contingent’s chief engineering officer, said it was important not only to revive the old facility but to ensure it met modern standards of safety and functionality.
“Successive medical rotations looked forward to the day they could move back into their house, into a new and modern medical centre,” he said.
“The tremendous effort by our engineering team and the Serco management team culminated in a solution that transformed a neglected building into a fully functional medical facility.”
The centre was officially reopened by Deputy Chief of Joint Operations Major General (NZDF) Hugh McAslan.
CAPTION: From left, Commander Headquarters Middle East Captain Brett Westcott and Deputy Chief of Joint Operations (NZDF) Major General Hugh McAslan stand next to the official opening plaque of the refurbished medical facility at Camp Baird.
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