Regular and Reserve Force NZ Defence Force personnel, along with civilian medical specialists, will deliver a range of specialist healthcare services to the people of Samoa as part of Exercise Tropic Twilight 2012.

Exercise Tropic Twilight, which takes place from 28 July to 20 August, will involve a 100-strong Defence Force contingent including doctors, anaesthetists, nurses and a range of other medical staff, as well as dentists, environmental health and logistics personnel.

The Exercise is conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade which funds the provision of the medical supplies through the NZ Aid Programme.

A Forward Surgical Team (FST) will set up and run independently out of tented accommodation, replicating how it would operate in a disaster relief situation. The FST is planning to conduct around 40 minor surgeries. A team of healthcare specialists will conduct medical outreach programmes in remote locations in Samoa, and a small engineer element will support the FST and assist with minor repairs to Samoan health facilities.