Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2005/TB screening for Middle East personnel

By Andrew Stackpool

Members of the ADF deploying to shore positions in the Middle East area of operations (MEAO) are to undergo a regime of pre-deployment and post-deployment screening for tuberculosis (TB).

And, although those embarked in ships patrolling the Persian Gulf are not considered at risk, they will be able to request a screening.

The decision to screen shore-based personnel follows an announcement by the World Health Organisation that Iraq is a high-risk area.

"The decision to conduct the tests will be based on an assessment of the clinical risk at the time," said Defence Health Services MO, LTCOL Carmel van der Rijt.

LTCOL van der Rijt stressed that, while the majority of ADF personnel working on the ground are not in danger of high-risk exposure,Defence has a duty of care to ensure they are screened.

"Defence meets its duty of care to members of the ADF by providing appropriate medical support, vaccinations and screenings to anyone who may be exposed to the risk of infection, before, during and on return from operations," she said.

"As part of that duty of care, and as part of their deployment requirements, personnel deploying on operations are appropriately prepared, equipped and trained for the operations they are undertaking. This is undertaken in accordance with the specific risk and threat assessment for the particular operation.

"For all operations the ADF develops a range of health precautions, according to the threat scenario, to ensure the health and well being of personnel in the environment in which they will operate."