Concerns over medical back-up for troops in Liberia

SENIOR army officers yesterday expressed serious concern about levels of medical support for 430 troops being sent to Liberia on UN peace enforcement duties after Christmas.

There are fears that there may not be enough medical back-up for soldiers in the event of injuries or contraction of dangerous diseases such as malaria.

President of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO), Lieutenant Colonel Paul Allen said it would be potentially the most dangerous operation for the troops, similar to operations in Kosovo, East Timor and Somalia.