Should Canada Deploy the DART to Africa?

[Argus]

With the CDC projecting Ebola cases could reach 1.4 million in a few months if something isn't done, is it time for Canada to consider something a lot more helpful than a few million dollars for gear? Isn't this the sort of thing DART was intended for?

The world seems to be talking about this a lot but no one other than Obama has committed much to its resolution.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/ebola-cases-could-reach-550-000-to-1-4-million-in-4-months-cdc-1.2775185

[eyeball]

So let me get this straight, the world is supposed to wage wars, stop epidemics, do something about climate change and make the economy grow all at the same time?

Is there a Plan B by any chance?

[Smallc]

Who else is going to do it, besides people?

[Smallc]

Anyway, Canada should deploy DART and possibly 1 Canadian Field Hospital or a field ambulance. It's something we're rather good at but we don't do it enough.

[eyeball]

Who else is going to do it, besides people?

Governments, but you know, good luck with that - the world's plate is just getting mighty full is all.

In any case, I'd far rather we try to help in Africa than get involved in more wars.

[Smallc]

The plate has always been full. The present day is actually pretty tame.

[eyeball]

Yes, it's a veritable rose garden.

[Smallc]

Compared to history it is.

[Big Guy]

Anyway, Canada should deploy DART and possibly 1 Canadian Field Hospital or a field ambulance. It's something we're rather good at but we don't do it enough.

It appears that what is required at the moment is medical assistance expert in contagious diseases. I do not believe that is DART's major function;

DART has four goals:

1. To provide basic medical care: To serve, with its medical platoon of 40 staff, up to 250 outpatients and 10 inpatients per day. Although the medical station will not perform surgery, it treats minor injuries and attempts to prevent the spread of disease. The aid station includes a laboratory, a pharmacy, limited obstetrics services and rehydration and a preventative medicine section.
2. To produce safe drinking water: Water purification staff can produce up to 50,000 liters of drinking water a day, as well as chlorinating local wells and monitoring water supplies.
3. To repair basic infrastructure: Engineers can fix roads and bridges, repair electrical and water supply systems and build refugee camps.
4. To make communications easier: DART sets up facilities to make communications easier between everyone involved in the relief effort, including the afflicted country, non-governmental organizations and UN aid agencies.

I also understand that a host country has to specifically request that help since DART is a military unit.

Because of the specific contagiousness of Ebola and very, very special protection protocol required I wonder if this unit would really serve any beneficial function there.

That said, some troll may try to divert this thread with some reference to the recent American forces deployed by Obama. But why would anybody be silly enough to do so?

Edited September 25, 2014 by Big Guy

[bush_cheney2004]

....Because of the specific contagiousness of Ebola and very, very special protection protocol required I wonder if this unit would really serve any beneficial function there.

In other words....let the Americans do it. No way for DART or other Canadian units to get the "very special protection protocol" required. Odd that it was no big deal for 3,000 American troops.

[Derek 2.0]

Anyway, Canada should deploy DART and possibly 1 Canadian Field Hospital or a field ambulance. It's something we're rather good at but we don't do it enough.

When was the last time DART/Canadian military was used to contain/treat an infectious "outbreak"?

[Derek 2.0]

In other words....let the Americans do it. No way for DART or other Canadian units to get the "very special protection protocol" required. Odd that it was no big deal for 3,000 American troops.

I wonder how many are from Fort Detrick......And are more concerned with Ebola being weaponized by extremist groups, as opposed to being good Samaritans?

[Smallc]

When was the last time DART/Canadian military was used to contain/treat an infectious "outbreak"?

We're good at responding to disasters.

[Derek 2.0]

We're good at responding to disasters.

........But no experience in responding to infectious disease……..best leave it to the experts found within various NGOs (Red Cross, MSF etc) and we can help via funding.

[Smallc]

I would think that 1 Canadian Field Hospital would be able to handle the procedures.

[bush_cheney2004]

If not, then how would Canada manage infectious disease control within its own borders ? This is not rocket science......

[Smallc]

Exactly

[Derek 2.0]

I would think that 1 Canadian Field Hospital would be able to handle the procedures.

Why would you think a predominantly battlefield trauma focused unit could contend with Ebola?

[Smallc]

Because it's a medical unit. They're medical professionals. That extends far beyond knowledge of trauma.

[Derek 2.0]

If not, then how would Canada manage infectious disease control within its own borders ? This is not rocket science......

Through our version of the CDC.

[Derek 2.0]

Because it's a medical unit. They're medical professionals. That extends far beyond knowledge of trauma.

.......Sure, but not to contend with a infectious disease in the middle of Africa……..Can you cite just one example, from throughout the history of the Canadian military, of a deployment focused on contending with an infectious outbreak?

[Smallc]

There isn't an example that compared to this. There's no doubt in my mind that CF medical professionals could handle this.

[Derek 2.0]

There isn't an example that compared to this. There's no doubt in my mind that CF medical professionals could handle this.

There isn't an example, because the Canadian Forces are not trained to handle such events.......You could count on one hand the countries that have focused resources in such fields, namely those nations that have had active germ-warfare programs.

[Smallc]

I don't think you really understand the universality of infection control.

[Derek 2.0]

I don't think you really understand the universality of infection control.

I don't think you really understand that such programs in Canada are the purview of civilian agencies at the Federal and Provincial level.....not the military.