Providing medical support for DFAT’s Afghan evacuee mission

Background

In August 2021, the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) engaged Aspen Medical to provide urgent medical support for Afghan evacuees transiting through the United Arab Emirates. This request followed the rapid collapse of security in Kabul, with the mission taking place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding significant complexity to infection prevention and control requirements. 

While initial planning anticipated 200–400 evacuees, more than 2,800 arrived within 14 days, dramatically expanding the scope and urgency of the response. 

Approach

We established a fully operational medical clinic within 72 hours of approval, delivering comprehensive healthcare for evacuees while managing strict infection control requirements. 

Our team provided: 

• primary healthcare, including pre-flight medical checks, antenatal care, psychological support and fitness-to-fly assessments 
• emergency medical stabilisation with support from the Australian Defence Force 
• onsite PCR testing and basic pathology services 
• dedicated isolation facilities and protocols for COVID-19 and infectious disease management 
• 24/7 ambulance, escort and off-base transportation services 
• outreach clinics to additional evacuation camps 
• medical and nursing support on repatriation flights 
• coordination of referrals for specialist healthcare at external facilities. 

We deployed a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, a psychologist, pathology technician, paramedics and logistics staff, supported by medical equipment, consumables and pharmaceutical supplies. 

Results

• Established a fully operational medical clinic within 72 hours of formal approval. 
• Delivered care to 715 patients over 19 days, 15 per cent of whom were children under five. 
• Responded immediately to a critical shortage by airlifting 50,000 N95 masks from Aspen Medical’s Brisbane factory within 24 hours of request. 
• Successfully contained COVID-19 among evacuees living in high-density accommodation. 
• Supported nine repatriation flights, providing medical care from departure to arrival at Australian ports. 

Outcome

Aspen Medical’s rapid, comprehensive response was critical to DFAT’s evacuation effort—all delivered amid the operational and public health challenges of a global pandemic. 

By embedding an experienced clinical team, implementing robust infection control measures and providing continuous care from arrival to departure, Aspen Medical safeguarded the health and dignity of thousands of evacuees while supporting Australia’s broader pandemic and humanitarian response.