The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and international health non-profit organisation Rocketship have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formalising a partnership that will see the organisations work together to improve health in Pacific Island countries.
Signed by ACRRM President Dr Sarah Chalmers and Rocketship Chair Dr Dan Manahan, the MOU recognises the organisations’ agreement to collaborate on a range of issues including the development of models to support Rocketship to build its educational capacity and resources.
Rocketship stands for Remote Opportunities for Clinical Knowledge, Education, Training, and Support for Health In the Pacific, and its mission is to share skills and work in partnership to achieve strong, sustainable primary healthcare systems in Pacific Island countries.
Acting Rocketship Pacific Chair Brett Cowling says, “Rocketship is privileged to be in an active and respectful partnership with ACRRM ensuring that there is a transfer of lessons on rural clinical training in Australia with rural clinical training in the Pacific and looks forward to furthering the relationship and collaboration.”
Brett Cowling will represent Rocketship at the clinical directors meeting for the South Pacific Committee in August. At the meeting, Mr Cowling will be focusing on sharing clinical knowledge about rural and remote medicine in Australia and the Pacific that benefits Indigenous people in Australia and the Pacific.
ACRRM President Dr Sarah Chalmers says the work of Rocketship is vital to improving healthcare in Pacific Island countries, and their mission is one the College can wholeheartedly embrace.
“As a College with a 25-year history and expertise in Rural Generalist training and advocating for the health of rural and remote communities, it makes perfect sense for ACRRM to share its knowledge and resources with Rocketship, and vice versa.” Dr Chalmers says.
“We’ve seen the power and potential of this kind of collaboration during the COVID pandemic, with doctors who work in rural and remote locations across Australia providing their expertise to Pacific Island communities.”
“By formalising this MOU, it means ACRRM and Rocketship can now put the shoulder to the wheel and explore all the education, mentoring and professional development opportunities that will benefit both parties.” Dr Chalmers says.
“The College is delighted to align with Rocketship, and we look forward to making a difference to the health outcomes of communities in the Pacific region.”
ENDS
To learn more about Rocketship’s work, visit https://rocket-ship.org/ .
For interviews, please contact ACRRM marketing and communications manager Petrina Smith on 0414 820 847 or p.smith@acrrm.org.au.
Rocketship Pacific marketing and communications manager David Gilchrist 0409894944 or media@rocket-ship.org.