Three SA docs are heading to Vanuatu to help quake victims

With the death toll expected to rise, three SA doctors have selflessly left Australia for Vanuatu to help victims of last week’s giant earthquake.

Three South Australian doctors are travelling to earthquake-struck Vanuatu to help with recovery, with the death toll expected to continue to rise after last week’s 7.3 magnitude shock.

The South Australians are part of a 16-person Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) which will be led by Kangaroo Island doctor James Doube.

Dr Doube will travel alongside Dr Cat Balfour as clinical team leader and anaesthetist Dr Jeremy Brammer.

Kangaroo Island doctor James Doube is heading up a 16-person Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) heading to Vanuatu after an earthquake last week. Picture: Ryan Osland/The Australian

All three are also part of SA Ambulance Service’s MedSTAR team.

“The team we have here today are an incredible group of experienced clinicians, and I know that we will do our utmost best to help the people of Vanuatu,’’ Dr Doube said.

Dr Doube has previously served in AUSMAT in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan and in Timor Leste.

The official death toll from the earthquake which struck the Vanuatu capital Port Vila last Tuesday stands at 12, but is likely to rise. A second earthquake measuring 6.1 struck off the coast of Vanuatu early on Sunday.

It has been reported that around 80,000 people have been affected by the earthquake and more than 210 people injured. The Vila Centra Hospital has been damaged as well as 10 buildings in the Port Vila CBD.

There has also been damage to the Port Vila’s water supply.

Hundreds of Australians holidaying in Vanuatu have been evacuated by the Royal Australian Air Force.

Health Minister Chris Picton said he wanted “to thank these three South Australian doctors who are giving up Christmas with their families to help the people of Vanuatu as they recover from this devastating earthquake’’.

“Experienced clinicians from SA Health have regularly answered the call – they were on the ground in Banda Aceh after the tsunami in 2004, and in the aftermath of the Bali bombings in 2002,’’ he said.