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TRAVEL: THE MALDIVES<br />
Senior Paramedic<br />
Harry Gatt<br />
In September 1986 a group of twentysomething<br />
healthcare professionals from<br />
around the globe gathered at Tavarua<br />
Island, Fiji, for the world’s first medical<br />
conference to focus on the treatment and<br />
prevention of surfing related injuries. This<br />
was in response to the worldwide surge<br />
of people of all ages taking up surfing.<br />
During the first conference on Tavarua,<br />
it also became apparent how little the<br />
local community had in the way of<br />
medical services. As a result the aim<br />
of future conferences was extended to<br />
incorporate an active role in improving the<br />
medical infrastructure of the indigenous<br />
community visited, contributing to their<br />
health and welfare. The Surfers Medical<br />
Association (SMA) was born.<br />
In the years to follow, conferences were<br />
held in Gnaraloo, Western Australia (where<br />
an independent body, SMA Australia was<br />
spawned), Grajagan, East Java and the<br />
Mentawai Islands off West Sumatra.<br />
It was the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami,<br />
where SMA Australia worked closely<br />
with the Maldivian Health Ministry that<br />
proved to be the catalyst to an ongoing<br />
understanding with the Maldivian<br />
Government. All conferences since have<br />
been held at the Dhonveli Resort in the<br />
Maldives and organised exclusively<br />
through Atoll Travel.<br />
The medical symposiums feature<br />
presentations and debate from a diverse<br />
group of speakers that encompass a<br />
broad range of topics in the medical<br />
field including the latest clinical studies,<br />
evidence and personal experience. The<br />
relaxed setting and informal nature of<br />
the conference encourages interactive<br />
audience participation to fully utilise the<br />
expertise present.<br />
Harry Gatt who is the Secretary of SMA<br />
Australia, recently renamed AMPED – the<br />
Allied Medical Professionals for Education<br />
and Development, explains the charter of<br />
the organisation.<br />
“Our aim is to provide educational<br />
sessions to medical staff at the two<br />
hospitals in Malé, offer advice to<br />
government departments and run clinics<br />
at community health care centres. We<br />
also acquire medical equipment for the<br />
disadvantaged and raise much needed<br />
funds for people in need.<br />
“That’s what possibly differentiates us<br />
from other medical conferences. Plus<br />
there is an opportunity for conference<br />
delegates to participate in long running<br />
projects that AMPED conducts. We get in<br />
plenty of surfs but also work hard for the<br />
local community.”<br />
The organisation’s recent name change more<br />
accurately reflects the work they undertake<br />
but is also aimed at attracting professionals<br />
from across the medical field.<br />
“We don’t want to simply focus on<br />
one area of medicine. Our invitees and<br />
guest speakers are from various sectors<br />
within and affiliated with the medical<br />
industry. We have had doctors attend the<br />
conference, psychiatrists, plastic surgeons<br />
specialising in the field of reconstructive<br />
surgery, orthopaedic surgeons,<br />
geneticists, paramedics and even lawyers<br />
with experience in the medical field.”<br />
FROM THE TOP:<br />
Surfing, working,<br />
surfing and more<br />
working... Not a<br />
bad way to spend<br />
some time in the<br />
Maldives.<br />
jul/aug 20<strong>12</strong><br />
41
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