Malawi medic in Afghanistan on British Army mission

A Malawian medical technician serving in the British Army has been dispatched to war ravaged Afghanistan to provide his professional services to British troops.

The medic, Tenzo Moyo who is a Combat Medic Class One in her Majesty's British Army and is with 1 Medical Regiment,  flew to Comp Bastion in war-torn Helmand Province in Afghanistan last week for 'Operation Herrick 15' described  as one of the most challenging and terrifying experiences of his life because he is leaving behind his heavy pregnant wife who is due to give birth next month.

"I'm happy that I'm going for a call of duty but at the same time it is terrifying to leave behind my wife who is about to give birth to a baby girl. I trust God will take care of everything," said Moyo.

Moyo, son to former Malawi national team coach Henry 'Mbwanga' Moyo told Nyasa Timesin an interview that he is prepared for the challenge.

Tenzo Moyo: On duty

The German-based Moyo said : "I had to choose between the attending to my daughter's birth and serving my troop in a war zone and I wilfully chose to go to save lives of both my fellow soldiers and civilians in war-frayed Afghanistan. The most important thing is that my wife is happy for me to go to war and save more lives as a medic. I'm happy she is happy, she is a strong woman and courageous enough to go through it on her own."

According to British Soldier Magazine, Personnel from 1 Medical Regiment completed an arduous series of exercises in Germany as part of preparations for their upcoming Operation tour Herrick tour. The unit spent two weeks honing their skills in serials designed to pull together a year of preparation work.

The examination included using night vision goggles to treat soldiers in pitch-black conditions, casualty evacuations via helicopter and learning crucial mental and dental healthcare skills.

Cpl Leah Burchett, who serves with The Queen's Royal Hussars and was attached to 1 Medical Regiment for the exercise, said: "These serials have been extremely realistic, bringing everything we have learned together.”

Moyo joined Her Majesty’s Army in September 2007. He went for a basic training at the British Army Training Regiment (ATR) in Winchester at Sir John Moore Barracks for 14 weeks.

After completion Moyo then went to Defence Medical Services training in Aldershot at Keogh Barracks and passed out as a Combat Medical Technician Class two. And from there he was posted to 1 Medical Regiment (1MR) in September 2008.

In the same year Moyo was sent to Iraq on a combat mission where he joined his squadron for Operation Terric 13.

Moyo said he joined the army after his good friend, Titani Magwaza-Nyirongo who is also with Her Majesty's army as a medic lured him into joining the British armed forces.

He said: "It was my best friend Titani (Magwaza-Nyirongo) who inspired me into joining the army as he was telling me the positive stories and the advantages of being a medic in the British army, so I took a chance and I don't regret,"

Moyo apart from being a medic is a multi-talented combatant in his regiment; he has represented his brigade in various sports disciplines including football, basketball and volleyball.

The number of British military deaths in operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at over 380. There are over 44 service personnel who have died from accidents, illness, or non-combat injuries.

Nyasa Times 30 Sep, 2011

--
Source: http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2011/09/29/malawi-medic-in-afghanistan-on-british-army-mission/
~
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com