• Agreement to benefit from partners’ complementary strengths in clinical expertise and regional reach and logistics
• Resulting scalable programmes are designed to meet the needs of GCC countries and respond to public health challenges
• Aspen Medical's focus on partnerships allows it to maximise its global impact 

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 21 April 2025 – Aspen Medical, a global leader in healthcare solutions, has agreed with Leader Healthcare, a major provider of healthcare logistics and distribution services in the Middle East, to collaborate on various healthcare delivery and training initiatives across the Middle East and Africa, especially in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The parties signed a memorandum of understanding on 16 April, outlining several key areas of collaboration, including the creation of turnkey healthcare delivery solutions in complex and underserved environments. They will co-develop advanced medical training programmes tailored to the needs of GCC countries and scalable healthcare interventions that can capably respond to global public health challenges. Furthermore, Aspen Medical and Leader Healthcare will explore and innovate various mobile, modular, and rapid-deployment healthcare solutions.

“We are delighted to announce this partnership that has brought together two powerhouses in the field of healthcare,” says Aspen Medical Group CEO Craig Fitzgerald. “We benefit from our complementary strengths – Aspen Medical’s global clinical and operational expertise across the healthcare sphere and Leader Healthcare’s regional reach and logistics in the Middle East. This will help our programmes become more aligned with national and international health transformation agendas and various public-private partnerships.”

“Through our partnership with Aspen Medical, healthcare delivery and training initiatives across the Middle East will be strengthened by our organisations’ combined education capabilities,” adds a spokesperson for Leader Healthcare. “We are excited to begin working closely with Aspen Medical and open doors to more collaborations with ministries of health, military sectors and hospital groups in the region.”

ENDS

Aspen Medical Foundation, the registered charity of global healthcare solutions provider Aspen Medical, has announced it will fund four new scholarships for Fijian students pursuing healthcare degrees over the coming 12 months through the Fiji National University and the Australian College of Nursing, whilst continuing to provide scholarships for First Nations students in Australia. The announcement came at the launch of the Aspen Medical Foundation Social Impact Report 2024 in Canberra today, 11 October 2024.

The report was officially launched by the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, Assistant Minister for Employment. The report summarises the Foundation’s work and spending of just under $1 million on local and international philanthropic causes over the past year, including a prosthetics program in war-torn Ukraine, the extension of the Malpa Young Doctors program to Western Australia, and 14 scholarships for First Nations students.

Speaking at the launch, Assistant Minister the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, said that the Australian Government is committed to collaborating with the philanthropic, not for profit, and business sectors to double philanthropic giving by 2030.

Aspen Medical Foundation Chair Sian Keys said that in the next stage of the Foundation’s development, the focus will be about building upon two core elements: the scholarship program and strengthening partnerships.   

“Scholarships are an integral part of the Aspen Medical Foundation’s philanthropy, whether they are directly with individuals or through tertiary institutions. By supporting current and future healthcare workers, whether they be in Australia or the Indo-Pacific, we can make a tangible impact to those working directly in the communities, and the communities that they work in.

“Our partners are a critical element of the Aspen Medical Foundation, who enable work to be done in the communities who need it the most. We partner with organisations on the ground, who know the communities that they are working in, and understand how to best make an impact,” said Ms. Keys.

Over the next year the Aspen Medical Foundation has committed to partnering with several organisations including Mental Illness Education ACT, Snow Foundation, Hands Across Canberra, John James Foundation, University of Newcastle, Malpa Young Doctors program, and Moonshine Agency. The Foundation is also hoping to secure additional funding from Alcoa Foundation to extend the prosthetics program for amputees in Ukraine. 

ENDS 

Students across the Perth, Peel and Upper South West regions will benefit from a culturally-based program to train them as health ambassadors. 

The Malpa Young Doctors for Life program empowers Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students aged between nine and 12 to take control of their health destiny and help shape better health outcomes for their families and communities. 

As part of the 15-week program, students will learn hands-on skills from Aboriginal Elders, doctors and paramedics in health leadership, nutrition, hygiene, and social and emotional well-being. 

The program is inspired by principles of the traditional healing delivered for thousands of years by the Ngangkari – Aboriginal healers in Central Australia who pass down their skills to younger generations. The idea of children being “doctors” is deeply embedded in First Nations culture. Additionally, the Young Doctors for Life Program aims to share this experience with non-indigenous children, known as Malpas or friends on the journey. 

During the program, students are encouraged to engage with their families and communities to spread their health knowledge and help transform community health behaviours. 

The program also aims to bolster education outcomes in the regions where it is implemented, with studies showing improved physical and mental health is directly related to improved classroom participation and learning. 

Ashburton Drive Public School and Calista Public School in Perth, Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School in Peel, and Waroona District High School in the Southwest have been identified as the first four of six schools in the region to participate in the program, which will run in terms 3 and 4. 

The program has been delivered to about 3,000 students across Australia and is being expanded to the six schools across the Perth, Peel and Southwest regions thanks to more than $100,000 in support from global charity The Alcoa Foundation. The funding will assist healthcare solutions charity Aspen Medical Foundation to continue working with Malpa, which it has done for more than a decade. 

CEO of Malpa Don Palmer said, “We are excited to extend our Australia-wide program to Western Australia. Sadly, the need to close the health gap for young First Nations people remains a challenge and we are delighted that our proven approach will now find a home and have an impact for young people in WA.”

Alcoa Foundation President Caroline Rossignol said this program is strongly aligned with the Foundation’s philosophy of building community resilience in the regions where global aluminum company Alcoa operates.

“We are incredibly proud to announce support for this program, especially during NAIDOC week,” Ms. Rossignol said.

“Instilling health-conscious behaviours in young people is critical to improving and sustaining their physical and mental health. This culturally appropriate program takes the extra step to engage families and communities in the students’ journeys.” 

Aspen Medical Foundation Chair Sian Keys thanked Alcoa Foundation for its support in bringing the program to Western Australia for the first time.

Ms. Keys said, “Through our collaboration with the Alcoa Foundation, we are delighted to be playing a part in bringing the innovative Malpa Young Doctors for Life program to Western Australia.  The Aspen Medical Foundation has worked with Malpa for a decade and has seen firsthand the positive impact that it can have on communities and health outcomes.” 

ENDS

Aspen Medical has been appointed by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHA) as a member of the panel to provide surge workforce services to support Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs).

Medicare UCCs are being established across Australia to improve local access to urgent care, with the aim to reduce the level of low-acuity attendance at nearby public hospital emergency departments (EDs). This will allow public hospital EDs to focus on serious and life-threatening presentations.

The Medicare UCCs are a new model of care that will integrate and align with existing service offerings to reduce pressure on our hospitals and will:

• be based in existing GP clinics, community health centres and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
• provide free services for patients
• be open after normal business hours and accept walk-in patients
• be diverse, responding to the needs of the local community
• be accessible to all people, including vulnerable people and young people.

According to Nicole Longley, GM – Service Delivery Line, “With over 20 years’ experience in deploying health professionals all across Australia and the world, Aspen Medical has a large pool of highly-qualified health professionals including General Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Paramedics, and Allied Health Professionals that we can call upon at short notice. We look forward to assisting the UCCs in delivering quality healthcare services to their communities.”

People will be able to attend a Medicare UCC for non-life threatening acute episodic care for minor injuries and illnesses such as closed fractures, simple eye injuries, minor burns, treating a UTI or an ear infection.

As and when required by Medicare UCCs, Aspen Medical will assist in addressing workforce shortages in Medicare UCC locations throughout Australia, including metro, regional and remote locations.

ENDS

The Federally funded Rural Locum Assistance Program (Rural LAP), which is managed by Aspen Medical, has placed its 10,000th health professional since the program began in 2011. Yorke Peninsula-based Registered Nurse Carmel Short will undertake the landmark placement at Roxby Downs Health Service in South Australia. 

Rural LAP is an amalgamation of the Nursing and Allied Health Rural Locum Scheme (NAHRLS), Rural Obstetric and Anaesthetic Locum Scheme (ROALS), and Rural Locum Education Assistance Program (Rural LEAP). As a component of the Australian Government’s rural workforce capacity agenda, the program’s primary focus is on supporting aged care workers, obstetricians, anaesthetists, nurses, and allied health professionals in rural and remote regions. The program offers locum coverage for continuing professional development (CPD) and recreation leave. In 2022, the program was extended to aged care services in rural and remote locations impacted by sudden departures, annual leave, and training.

Rural LAP National Manager Jessica Andrews said, “We extend our gratitude to all the health professionals and clinics who have supported this program since 2011. Working in remote and rural locations across our beautiful country has its clear advantages. 

“However, without dedicated locums like Carmel, her peers cannot get the downtime and training they need to provide the best service possible to their patients.” 

Roxby Downs Health Service is part of the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network and is situated approximately 250kms north of Port Augusta. The facility has an accident and emergency service and general medical services. Over the past decade, the health professionals at the facility have been supported by 69 Rural LAP placements.

Janine Connell, Director of Nursing at Roxby Downs Health Service said, “We have great difficulty attracting suitably qualified staff to the remote setting, so following on from that, being able to release our staff for leave and particularly professional development leave is particularly challenging.

Rural LAP has made this so much easier for us. The process of booking staff for locum placements is seamless and reliable and the quality of staff coming here from Rural LAP is fantastic.” 

Rural LAP is funded until 30 June 2024. For more information on the program, click www.rurallap.com.au or call 1800 RURAL LAP (78725 527). 

ENDS

Eye Department patients in the Western Division will no longer need to travel to Suva for treatment as the Lautoka and Ba Hospital’s Eye Departments have been upgraded with advanced Laser Eye Machines.

The Eye Departments now boast two argonlasers, crucial for treating Diabetic Retinopathy, a condition with the potential for blindness if untreated.

The third laser machine helps with common issues after cataract surgery, preventing eye problems like severe pain and sudden vision loss. It also tackles glaucoma, a condition that can lead to vision problems. The machine's particular function helps control eye pressure, slows the disease, and may even allow some patients to stop using expensive eyedrops for glaucoma.

Aspen Medical’s Consultant Ophthalmologist at Lautoka Hospital Dr Taraivini Rabuka said, "Diabetic Retinopathy and glaucoma can cause permanent blindness, resulting in profound socio-economic effects on patients and their families. 

“The burden of job loss and dependence on family members is substantial, and we are very happy to be able to provide these services to our patients now."

ENDS

Aspen Medical has welcomed the decision that all laboratory tests and radiology examinations from healthcare facilities in the western division, that were previously sent to private diagnostic facilities, should be directed to Lautoka Hospital for analysis and results. This new process is effective immediately.

Local healthcare facilities will retain the capacity to perform on-site laboratory tests that fall within their expertise. Specialised and complex diagnostic tests will be channelled to Lautoka Hospital, offering patients a comprehensive and centralised approach.

Aspen Medical's CEO in Fiji, Gavin Whiteside said, “Lautoka and Ba Hospitals have undertaken significant expansions in their testing and analytical capabilities to meet the heightened demand arising from this initiative. Patients can expect swift and precise diagnostics within these state-of-the-art facilities.

“This decision by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is a positive reflection on our upgraded laboratory facilities and expert team. We thank the Ministry for the confidence it has shown in Aspen Medical. Our commitment to advancing healthcare services remains steadfast, and we are excited about the collaborative potential this partnership represents.”

ENDS

The Indonesian Government today officiated the beginning of construction of Aspen Medical’s International Hospital in Depok. Initiated by Sanusa Medika, a joint venture company between Australian global healthcare company Aspen Medical Pty Ltd (Aspen Medical) and Docta Pty Ltd (Docta) in collaboration with West Java State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) PT Jasa Sarana, the Aspen Medical hospital is the first international standard healthcare facility in Depok, West Java. The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, together with the Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin and the Governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil attended the inauguration of the project, in which Aspen Medical will invest IDR 600 - 750 Billion (AU$60 - AU$73 Million) to build the hospital on a 12,500 m2 land area in the Shila at Sawangan Depok.

Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Airlangga Hartarto said, “This Indonesia-Australia partnership, initiated during the G20 Summit in Bali, 2022, is expected to see investments by Australian companies in Indonesia and help improve healthcare services, throughout the country. Aspen Medical's initiative today is a good example of this bilateral partnership. The presence of an international-class hospital like the Aspen Medical’s International Hospital in Depok is expected to encourage people to seek for medical treatment in Indonesia instead of going abroad, so that the country's foreign exchange would not be lost just because people prefer to get medical treatment in other countries. For that reason, the government is actively supporting the establishment of hospitals that are on par with the quality and standards of this Aspen Medical hospital, so that it can have a positive impact on the future of Indonesia’s medical tourism.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams PSM; Founder & Executive Chairman of Aspen Medical, Glenn Keys AO; and CEO of Docta and Sanusa Medika, Dr. Andrew Rochford, along with the board of directors of PT Sanusa Medika Hospitals were also present at the inauguration ceremony.

Founder and Executive Chairman of Aspen Medical, Glenn Keys AO said, "Our hospital in Depok will implement complete healthcare service with world-class centers of excellence. Aspen Medical is committed to delivering comprehensive and integrated healthcare services to the best international standards. We are excited about delivering these services and the hospital's ability to meet the diverse healthcare needs of the community." 

The initiative to construct Aspen Medical’s International Hospital in Depok is the direct result  of the vision of Governor Ridwan Kamil to transform healthcare across West Java, and is a tangible outcome of the meeting between Indonesian President Widodo and Australian Prime Minister Albanese during the G20 Summit held in Bali in 2022.This project is also a manifestation of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Economic Cooperation Program (IA-CEPA ECP).

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil said, "The West Java government appreciates Aspen Medical and Sanusa Medika for their unwavering commitment to healthcare excellence and their decision to invest in West Java. The significance of this project cannot be overstated. The healthcare sector is crucial to the overall well-being of our society, and it is our duty to ensure that our people have access to a nearby high-quality medical facilities. We are confident that this project will uplift the lives of countless individuals, offer hope to those in need, and solidify West Java's position as a regional leader in healthcare excellence."

One of the primary goals of this partnership is to catalyse health and economic recovery for the residents of West Java. In line with this objective, Aspen Medical and Docta entered into an agreement in 2020 to invest in Indonesia. Working in collaboration with West Java BUMD PT Jasa Sarana, they established a joint venture company called Sanusa Medika. Through this joint venture, Sanusa Medika aims to construct hospitals and public health clinics in West Java over the next two decades, including the establishment of Aspen Medical’s International Hospital in Depok.

The Aspen Medical International Hospital in Depok is a type B General Hospital with international standard certification and aims to address the shortage of bed availability, particularly in Depok and its surrounding areas. With a capacity of 200 beds, including specialized units such as advanced isolation beds and intensive care units, the hospital is poised to serve over 30,000 Out-Patient visits and more than 3,000 In-Patient days in its first year of operation. Over time, it is expected to reach its full potential, accommodating more than 300,000 Out-Patient visits and over 26,000 In-Patient days by its 11th year. Furthermore, the hospital aims to serve at least 56,000 inbound medical tourism patients annually.

Designed by Dutch Hospital Experts, the Emerald Hospital Group, the hospital embraces a green building concept, featuring modern facilities that prioritise environmentally friendly energy consumption. The design incorporates various technologies commonly found in the hospitality industry, serving as a benchmark for other hospitals in Indonesia in terms of utilising technology to create a sustainable and eco-friendly environment.

Another notable aspect of the hospital is the establishment of the International Institute for Diabetes, which will provide specialised care for individuals with diabetes. The institute aims to obtain international diabetes care accreditation and become the preferred choice for diabetes treatment in Depok and across Indonesia. Additionally, the hospital will house centres for Nephrology and Hypertension, Endocrinology, and Gastro-hepatology, catering to the growing demand for comprehensive healthcare services in these specialised areas.

Ends

Four new state-of-the-art Philips X-ray machines have been installed at Lautoka and Ba public hospitals. The new machines will provide the radiology teams with more precise reporting and elevate the level of service to the public.

The investment has now provided both public hospitals with world-class Radiology Departments that would be at home in any hospital across Australia.

Aspen Medical’s CEO in Fiji Annette Owttrim said, “The Philips Combidiagnost R90 Fluoroscopy unit is a true all-around performer. Applications include the chest, spine, upper and lower extremities, and skull. The R90 is a remote-controlled tiltable table and is ideal for all standard Fluoroscopy studies and for traditional X-rays including image stitching”.

Fluoroscopy services were last available to the patients of the Lautoka and Ba Hospitals in 2017.

The Radiology team has undergone training by Philips and the new Combidiagnost R90 and Duradiagnost X-Ray systems will begin services shortly to serve the people of the Greater Western Division.

This latest investment in high-tech state-of-the-art equipment comes after the delivery of Mammogram machines in October 2022.

ENDS

Australian-owned Aspen Medical has been appointed following a competitive tender to provide jet air ambulance services on behalf of Queensland Health. The five-year contract, with an option to extend to seven years, covers Queensland and Norfolk Island. The service will be provided from the company's Brisbane Airport base. The company will be using a Lear 60 aircraft provided by Aspen Medical's aviation partner, Avcair.

"Our continuing commitment to Queensland Health and the broad range of stakeholders who rely on our life-saving service can only be achieved through the dedication and professionalism of our experienced clinicians, pilots and innovative support team. We are proud to once again be selected by Queensland Health as a trusted service provider", said Steve Nelson, Aspen Medical Director - Retrieval Services.

Aspen Medical has been providing air ambulance services to communities across Queensland since 2018. This contract win follows on from the recent competitive tender won by Aspen Medical to continue to provide air ambulance services to companies in the oil and gas sector in Western Australia.

Canberra-based Aspen Medical has retained the Western Australia Resources AeroMedical Evacuation (WARAME) contract for a period of five years with an option to extend for an additional four years following a competitive tender process.

Two Cessna Citation aircraft, each with dual stretcher and critical care capabilities, will facilitate the deployment of a Doctor and Paramedic for 24/7/365 response throughout WA. “Aspen Medical, together with our aviation partner Avcair, is delighted to once again be selected as the trusted provider of critical care aeromedical retrieval services to the consortium of Oil and Gas companies who administer the Western Australia Resources Aero Medical Evacuation (WARAME) service.

“Based in Karratha, this life-saving capability continues our legacy of service support to WARAME members since 2009 and provides ongoing medical intervention and transport coverage to the member companies’ dependents and the broader community,” said Matt Hughes, Aspen Medical’s Executive General Manager – Australia & APAC.

Aspen Medical provides fully commercialised and assured aero-medical retrieval services across Australia with operations based in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. The company has significant international reach for the retrieval of patients who require urgent repatriation for medical treatment in Australia.

Aspen Medical has signed an exclusive agreement with Melbourne-based Smart Badge to distribute the tech company’s world-leading contact tracing wearable devices in Australia.

Smart Badge’s wearable technology will strengthen Aspen Medical’s infection prevention and control advisory solutions with its instant contact tracing, social distancing alerts and live management of event and venue capacity limits.

“Smart Badge products complement our existing COVID-19 suite of solutions which includes advisory services around infection prevention and control, training, PPE, mobile and temporary facilities and healthcare delivery teams.

“We’re seeing strong interest from across all sectors, in particular, live entertainment, food manufacturing, aged care, mining, education and construction” said Glenn Keys AO, Aspen Medical’s Founder and Executive Chairman. Aspen Medical has been contracted by Tennis Australia to assist in planning the 2021 Australian Open. The company will be providing infection prevention and control advisory services underpinned by Smart Badge contact tracing technology.

“Twenty years on from showing the world how to host an Olympic Games, we are showing the world how to get back to work and play safety within the new normal,” he continued. Simon Finlayson, Smart Badge’s General Manager, said the company is thrilled to be partnering with Aspen Medical. “The coming together of a new tech product, born from the events industry, with a global provider of healthcare solutions is very unique,” said Finlayson.

“We’re optimistic that with Smart Badge underpinning Aspen Medical’s COVID-19 plans, we’ll see a return to not just work, but the social gatherings we all enjoy, sooner.” Aspen Medical is the only commercial organisation in the world certified by the World Health Organisation as an Emergency Medical Team for infectious disease outbreaks. The company has played a significant role in containing the spread of coronavirus in Australia and overseas in the US, Canada, the UAE and across the Pacific.

For more information about Aspen Medical’s solutions for organisations in every sector of the economy, visit our website or call 02 6203 9500.

A new export mentoring program designed to assist Canberra companies to grow has been launched.

The initiative is the brainchild of Canberra-based Aspen Medical, the 2018 National Export Awards winner, and is being supported by Canberra Business Chamber and the ACT Government. The program will focus on Strategy, Business Development and Marketing & Communications.

Glenn Keys AO, Executive Chairman and Founder of Aspen Medical, said “We have won several local export awards and the national award in 2018 and we are very proud of that. After more than a decade of entering the export awards we decided to do something different and to put something back into the Canberra business community.

“This program is not designed to be an MBA course in International Business, it is really about us sharing our experiences, stories and insights and maybe even open some doors internationally.

”Robert Holgate, ACT TradeStart Adviser, said “The ACT TradeStart Program congratulates Aspen Medical on this positive initiative and their continued outstanding support and assistance to the ACT business community. “The TradeStart Program looks forward to working closely with Aspen Medical and the Canberra Business Chamber in promoting and helping to deliver the mentoring program.”

Aspen Medical has grown its international business every year since it was founded in 2003. Aspen Medical specialises in providing health solutions particularly in locations that are remote, challenging and under resourced. In recent years, the company has managed the Ebola outbreak response in West Africa on behalf of the Australian and New Zealand governments, and had significant roles in West Africa on behalf of the US and UK Governments.

In recent weeks, the company was contracted by Princess Cruises to manage a land-based quarantine facility in Japan to cater for several hundred staff from the Diamond Princess following the outbreak of COVID-19 on the cruise liner. 

Clinics will be managed and operated by leading Australian healthcare specialist, Aspen Medical, under a contract with the Department of Health Abu Dhabi.

An official ground-breaking ceremony for the first of six world-class primary healthcare centres to be built across nine areas of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain was held today, 11 December 2019, at Abu Samrah. The clinics will be designed, built and operated by Aspen Medical, a global leader in the provision of healthcare solutions.

Mr Bruce Armstrong Group CEO of Aspen Medical, said, “Aspen Medical is honoured and very pleased to be working in partnership with the Department of Health to bring our global primary healthcare experience to the people of Abu Dhabi through our locally-based team.”

Following a public tender process, the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DoH) signed an agreement with the company to provide comprehensive primary healthcare in the nine rural and underserved areas of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. DoH identified areas of under-provision through its Capacity Masterplan. The Masterplan shows that geographic healthcare coverage in the Emirate is generally good but that there are still capacity shortfalls in some rural areas.

His Excellency Mr Mohamed Al Hameli, Undersecretary of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi said, “The Department of Health is looking forward to working with the private sector to strengthen both coverage and quality of primary healthcare in Abu Dhabi.

“Our agreement establishes a primary healthcare model that can be expanded more broadly through the Abu Dhabi healthcare system.”

The Abu Samrah Primary Health Clinic is due for completion in 2020 with further clinics being constructed in Al Wathba, Shakhbout City, Umm Ghaffa, Al Dhahra, and Al Salamat.

The clinics will provide comprehensive services to the public including:

• general medicine and family medicine
• chronic disease management
• healthcare screening and prevention services • vaccinations and immunisations
• non‐communicable diseases management
• communicable diseases management
• diagnostic services
• on-site pharmacy.

The clinics in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain will add to Aspen Medical’s growing global primary healthcare clinic network. The company currently operates public clinics in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and private clinics for companies in the Oil and Gas sector. Aspen Medical has recently been awarded a 23-year contract to manage and operate two public hospitals in Fiji.

Sixty-six health professionals and supporting team were awarded the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal by His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, at a ceremony held at Government House on Thursday, 05 September 2019. The medal is presented to those who perform humanitarian service in a foreign country, in particular those working in dangerous environments or during a humanitarian crisis.

The recipients included eight Canberrans, four of whom continue to live in the nation’s capital and work at Aspen Medical - Project Director for West Africa Leo Cusack, HR Specialist Melissa Broers, Operations Manager Anna Mercieca and Finance Specialist Syed Shah.

“These Australians are outstanding – in a moment of real danger, a humanitarian crisis, they used their training and expertise to save lives,” the Governor-General said.

“They are worthy recipients of the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal and worthy of our thanks and recognition.”

Glenn Keys AO, Chairman of Aspen Medical, said, “Our teams of expatriate and local African staff were instrumental in the global effort to stem the advance of the disease and leave a legacy of a trained local workforce, across many countries in North West Africa, to combat any further outbreaks. We have also developed a highly-trained team here in Australia and New Zealand with the capability to deploy at short notice in the event we are required again.

“It is a testament to the quality of the team, the processes that were put in place and the overall management of the project, that not one team member was infected despite the infection rate amongst healthcare professionals being as high as 20% in West Africa at that time.”

The West African Ebola crisis started in Guinea in late 2013 and was declared as a public health emergency by the World Health Organization in August 2014 as it had spread rapidly to Sierra Leone and Liberia.

When the Ebola crisis emerged in late 2014 in Liberia, Aspen Medical worked with a US logistics company contracted by the US Government to provide clinical management services to four Ebola Treatment Units in some of the remotest areas of the country. This project was ongoing until August 2015.

At the same time, Aspen Medical was asked by the Australian Government to respond to the crisis in Sierra Leone. Funds for this deployment were also provided by the New Zealand Government. Aspen Medical provided all clinical and supporting services to an Ebola Treatment Centre at Hastings Airfield in Freetown. The centre opened in December 2014 during the worst stage of the crisis. The team successfully handed over the centre to the Sierra Leone Department of Health in June 2015. Aspen Medical then managed the Kerry Town treatment unit on behalf of the UK Government from July to December 2015.

By the time the emergency was declared over the following year, 28,616 cases had been reported with 11,310 deaths.

Aspen Medical has a long heritage responding to humanitarian crises and development needs across the Pacific, Africa and the world. Aspen Medical has responded to cholera outbreaks in Papua New Guinea, tsunami responses in the Solomon Islands, and been part of the malaria eradication program in the Pacific.

The Federal Government’s Department of Health has awarded 3-year contracts to two Aspen Medical subsidiaries, Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) and the Rural Locum Assistance Program (Rural LAP), to provide support to the rural and remote health workforce across Australia. Both programs are funded through to 30 June 2022.

RAHC will continue to support urban-based health professionals to work in remote health clinics and Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations in the Northern Territory for placements of between three to 12 weeks.

RAHC health professionals currently include:

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Audiologists
• Dentists
• Dental therapists
• Dental assistants.

The first placements under the programme were in December 2008 when two registered nurses went to Ampilatwatja in the Northern Territory on a 10-day placement. Since then, more than 6,100 placements have been undertaken by 1,150 health professionals representing nearly 540 years of service.

Commenting on the announcement, Aspen Medical Executive Chairman, Glenn Keys AO said, “Since 2008, RAHC has built strong and productive partnerships with all its stakeholders and a significant pool of talented and highly-motivated health professionals who have answered the call to be part of the effort.

“Ensuring the sustainability of this program for another three years is critical to people living in remote communities in the Northern Territory and works toward Closing the Gap in health outcomes for First Nations people.”

Rural LAP is a component of the Australian Government’s Rural Workforce Capacity Agenda. The program provides highly-qualified and credentialed locums to rural and remote locations around Australia. Subsidies funded by the Australian Government relieve the financial burden on health services and ensures ongoing service delivery during leave absences. All Aboriginal medical services throughout Australia are eligible to receive support.

The Rural LAP extends its support to:

• Obstetricians
• Anaesthetists
• Proceduralist General Practitioners (GPs) in Obstetrics and Anaesthetics
• Nurses and Midwives
• Allied Health Professionals
• Aged Care facilities
• Metropolitan GPs providing locum support for the rural locum education assistance program.

Since its inception in 2011, the program has helped subsidise over 6,500 leave requests.

“Important changes have been made over this time that have strengthened the program and helped provide greater leave coverage to the rural and remote health workforce. The Rural LAP team are excited to continue helping others take much needed leave over the next three years”, said Keys.

The Department of Defence has extended Canberra-based Aspen Medical’s field training medical services standing offer deed to provide healthcare support to the Army’s Forces Command for a further two years to June 2020. This is an extension to a competitive standing offer arrangement that was initially awarded in August 2015.

Aspen Medical will be eligible to provide personnel (from Intensive Care Paramedics, to Nurse Practitioners and emergency response vehicle drivers), all necessary equipment including Emergency Response Vehicles and all medication and consumables in support of various training exercises. The training activities take place in various locations across Australia, including New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Tasmania.

Glenn Keys AO, Aspen Medical’s Executive Chairman, said, “Aspen Medical has a longstanding relationship with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), supporting servicemen and women in Australia and overseas. The extension of the standing offer deed, providing critical life-saving services to ADF members, is evidence of the ADF’s belief in our ability to deliver a world-class service.”

This extension means that Aspen Medical will be providing services to the ADF for 16 consecutive years. Aspen Medical first worked with the ADF in 2004 when the company was chosen to provide a full spectrum primary and emergency healthcare service including aero-medical evacuations in Solomon Islands. Since then the company has supported the ADF in Timor-Leste and the Middle East, where the company provided care of battle casualty first aid training. Aspen Medical has also provided healthcare services at 52 Army, Navy and Air Force bases across Australia. Aspen Medical has leveraged this experience and capability to provide healthcare services around the world.