Army may hire civilian doctors for UN mission

A SEVERE shortage of army doctors available for overseas duty could force the Defence Forces to seek outside tenders for vital medical services.

As a new batch of more than 400 troops prepares to leave for the UN mission in the volatile west African state of Liberia, it has emerged that the Defence Forces are facing a dilemma over medical cover.

If the privatisation plan goes ahead, it will be the first time medical cover for troops overseas will be by an outside contractor.