ARMY medics have returned to the region from Africa where they spent a month helping the fight against deadly malaria.

About 140 soldiers from 5 Medical Regiment, based at Gaza Barracks, Catterick Garrison, took part in Exercise Askari Serpent in Kenya providing outreach clinics for remote communities.

The medics worked in villages more than 100km apart and well outside the British Army’s usual training areas in the country.

Setting up clinics under canvas and in available buildings, the medics provided care for around 2,500 patients and issued 1,000 mosquito nets by the time the exercise finished.

As well as helping the communities, the exercise tested communications, transport, recovery and resupply, and provided clinical experience for the medics.

Lieutenant Colonel Phil Carter, commanding officer of 5 Medical Regiment, which only returned from Afghanistan last October, said: “Exercise Askari Serpent combines training for contingency with defence engagement.

“It provides an amazing opportunity to take the medical skills that have served us so well in Afghanistan and translate them into a completely different environment for different patients.

"I’m really impressed with how well the soldiers have adapted.”

Lieutenant Dan Howard, one of the troop commanders, said Afghanistan had been all about either supporting patrols on foot or running medical centres in fixed bases.

“Having to set up a full Role 1 Medical Reception Station in a new location every few days and treat large numbers of patients safely and effectively before packing it up and moving it to a new location to do the same thing again is exactly what we should be able to do. And we’ve done it,” he added.

The regiment worked with medics from the Kenyan Army Medical Services and was supported by the Kenyan Red Cross and local communities.

The Army personnel were integrated into the medical teams, allowing the two nation’s soldiers to share techniques.

James Kamande, from PS Kenya, said: “Kenya has seen dramatic declines in the prevalence of malaria over the last ten years.

"This latest partnership is one more step toward ensuring those most vulnerable to malaria – children and pregnant mums - are reached with the information and mosquito nets they need to protect themselves and their families."