Vivere’s gift to Samoa

Ascot Park-based medical charity Vivere has had a busy winter, delivering 200 kilograms of medical supplies to Samoa and training two dozen ambulance staff there.

Trustees Byron Williams and Celeita Chippindale travelled to Samoa in June to train the Samoan Fire and Emergency Service Authority staff in basic prehospital medical care.

Training covered patient assessment techniques, airway management, how to check blood sugar levels and CPR.

‘‘The ambulance responders who completed this course were very proud of the work they do,’’ Mr Williams said on his return.

‘‘Having this enthusiasm from the staff makes the assistance we do more worthwhile.’’

Mr Williams and Ms Chippindale said they were privileged to speak to people who had seen all aspects of the Samoan healthcare system and shared their knowledge with Vivere.

The training and information gathering would help Samoans receive more timely and appropriate care when they call the ambulance, Mr Williams said.

‘‘We think it would be fair to say this first training trip to Samoa is only the beginning of the training that the ambulance response officers will receive.’’

Vivere also delivered more than 200kg of donated medical goods, all of which were gratefully received by the Samoan emergency authority, Mr Williams said.

Model figure: Sam Belsham was styled and made up to the nines for her Weight Watchers shoot in Sydney, but did not realise she would grace the cover.

Lifesaving lessons: A Samoan ambulance officer receives training from Ascot Park charity Vivere in June.