BY JOY OFASIA
TWO visiting medical professionals from the Pacific Oceania region expressed their enjoyment of their time in the Solomon Islands, particularly in helping local medical professionals and volunteers during the XVII Pacific Games 2023.
Samoan physician BellaDonna Potoi expressed her gratitude for the chance to collaborate with Solomon Islands physicians and paramedics during her stay.
“There are people from all over on our team. Our team, which includes members from Fiji and Samoa, collaborates closely with the organizing committee of the Games as well as the medical and nursing staff of the Solomon Islands.
“We came to the Solomon Islands to support the Pacific Games, primarily in the pre-hospital emergency coordination and basic life support area,” Dr. Belladonna told RAW SPORTS. “Pre-hospital emergency coordination is primarily about raising the bar for first responders and other stakeholders through communication. Two weeks prior to the Games, we arrived here to conduct basic life support training for one hundred local employees from the Red Cross, hospitals, police, and emergency departments.
“We are pleased with the Solomon Islands for successfully executing the Games,” said Dr. BellaDonna Potoi, a physician with training in primary health care (ear, nose, and throat) and general medicine.
According to Patrick Lukins, a fellow paramedic mentor with Australia Volunteer International (AVI), this is his first time both working at the Pacific Games and visiting the Solomon Islands.
The Australian paramedic revealed having a great time here assisting the St. John Ambulance Service with response during the Games.
“As a volunteer in the Solomon Islands, I assisted with the upskilling and development of new skills for the St. John Ambulance Service staff and local commissions, as well as the preparations for the Games.
“I’m having a great time and have developed a deep affection for the people and the Solomon Islands.
“It is crucial for stakeholders to collaborate as a team during any kind of major sporting event,” Patrick added.
