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A paramedic who volunteered for eight months to care for people in one of the world’s most remote communities has called for steps to be taken to erode stark inequalities in global health after receiving a British Empire Medal (BEM) for emergency medicine and disaster response services.
Nich Woolf, who turned 68 on New Years Day and is originally from London, had planned to be in Vanuatu, more than 2,000 miles off the east coast of Australia, working with ambulance crews from February to April, but was only able to return home in mid-October due to pandemic travel restrictions.
“Because all the Australians went home like their government said they had to, I stayed on Santo Island as the only qualified paramedic, along with three local students,” Woolf said. “I was basically on duty from the end of March until October when I left.”
The paramedic, who in addition to working for ambulance teams in the west of England and Wales has volunteered in Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Haiti, added about the award: “It was a complete surprise and a shock. I am very proud of it. I always thought that the best thing I could do with my life was to help other people.
“Give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach him to fish and you will feed him for life. So I have shared knowledge with people and in return, they often share their knowledge with me, even when healthcare resources are not good.
“My volunteer work has helped me move forward in my life. That’s what it’s all about, I believe in using the skills I have to benefit other people. “
Since Vanuatu’s largest island does not have a working X-ray and facilities are limited, some patients Woolf reached had to be airlifted nearly 200 miles to the country’s capital and main hub, Port Vila, while others with more easily treatable conditions and illnesses in the West died, unable to receive necessary care due to poor infrastructure.
“They were things that are serious but could easily be solved in the UK,” Woolf said. “It was a difficult time. I had to work really hard as a paramedic to deal with things.
“It is beautiful to be recognized at the New Years honors, but it raises many feelings about how much more work needs to be done to address the health inequalities that exist in the world.
“It is worth working hard to help people get the health care they deserve. People say they will spend money on hospitals, but it seems they will spend it on weapons. “
In early April, the Pacific archipelago of roughly 80 islands was hit by a cyclone that brought winds of nearly 200 mph and destroyed entire villages.
“The place was destroyed and the southern half of the island was devastated,” he said. “Many villages in the rainforest had lost all buildings, including dozens of kindergartens, which for some children could be their only school.”
To help raise money to build a new preschool in Espiritu Santo, Woolf partnered with other expats to present a funding proposal of approximately £ 7,000 to high commissions in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
“It’s not completely settled, but we’ve had some great deals,” said Woolf, also a trustee for Somerset Charity Festival Medical Services.
