First Female Dentist Seconded From Health Ministry Deployed To Sinai
She said being selected as the regiment dental officer was significant for her because the role was previously only given to men.
Wednesday 24 June 2020 | 10:39
Captain Ana Buliasewa (front) is flanked by Staff Sergeant Kalivati Uluibua, Peni Bula, Malakai Qase, and Tomasi Vatanitawake at the Nadi International Airport on June 23, 2020. Photo: Mereleki Nai
A female regiment dental officer is part of the country’s Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) troops deployed to Sinai for 12 months.
She is the first dentist seconded from the Ministry of Health.
Captain Ana Buliasewa was among the 170 soldiers, which included seven women, of the 39th Battalion strength deployment to Sinai, that boarded the Australian Air Force aircraft yesterday.
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She said being selected as the regiment dental officer was significant for her because the role was previously only given to men.
“I felt excited and I can’t wait to go and prove myself. I am looking forward to this peacekeeping duty. We departed three months ago, but were not allowed to continue due to the pandemic so we returned,” she said.
The Navala, Ba, native had spent 18 years with the Ministry of Health serving in the Northern Division. She is now based at the Sigatoka Hospital.
“This post was advertised by the Ministry of Health internally and it goes through a selection process.,” she said.
“We have to go through the Fiji Emergency Medical Technical Service. I was selected with two other officers within the Ministry of Health,” she said.
The mother of two said she was grateful for her husband who would be taking care of their children while she was away.
Meanwhile, this is the fourth tour of duty for Sergeant Simon Sharma, 44. The Savusavu native is looking forward to making his family and Fiji proud.
This Battalion is led by Commander Ledua Yaco.
More than 166 soldiers who have served their 12 months in Sinai are scheduled to return this Saturday.
Edited by Ivamere Nataro
Feedback: mereleki.nai@fijisun.com.fj
*This story has been updated.
