THE GOVERNMENT of the United States of America through the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG), the United States Defense Representatives (USDR) in the Philippines and the United States Naval Service will conduct a one month medical mission in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on May 20, to June 18, 2006.
In a meeting in Manila recently with ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan, Executive Secretary Oscar Sampulna, Solicitor-General Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi and Department of Health Secretary Lampa Pandi, JUSMAG Executive Officer Maj. Ted J. Schjoth said the medical mission is a part of US compassion, support and commitment to the Pacific region by providing humanitarian assistance to medically underserved populations.
The medical mission will also serve other countries in the pacific region throughout their 5 months deployment period.
Maj. Schjoth said the US embassy is now making all necessary coordination with the Philippine government to secure permit or clearance for the medical ship to be allowed to enter in the Philippines.
In the ARMM, the USNS Mercy Hospital Ship will particularly serve the island provinces of Tawi- Tawi, Sulu and Basilan. However, during their meeting the ARMM leaders appealed to the medical mission officials to include the mainland provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur in their medical service as big bulk of indigent patients are found in these areas.
Regional Governor Ampatuan welcomed the US medical mission in ARMM, saying that it will greatly help the medical services provided by the region's health department to the indigent patients of the region.
According to a briefing material presented by Captain Rick Morrison of the US Navy Medical Service Corps, who is the Deputy Fleet Surgeon, the giant Mercy Hospital Ship is manned by 647 military _d civilian personnel which include 270 core manning; 60 in-charge of infrastructure; 174 for Inpatient Care; 82 for Expeditionary medicine; 61 civilian mariners.
Morrison satd the Crew capabilities include direct provision of medical care such as: general and specialty surgical care, primary care for children and adults, consultative care for children and adults, obstetrical/gynecological care, dental care, ophthalmology services such as cataracts and optometric services such as glasses.
For public health initiatives, the Crew members are also capable of providing immunization services, de-worming, food and water system assessments, structural assessments, vector control, assistance in setting up public health systems, veterinary services, epidemiologic/public health consultation such as assistance in avian Influenza preparedness.
For infrastructure support, the Crew members are capable of providing basic biomedical repair, engineering assessments, water/sewer system assessments and structural assessments. For medical or nursing education, the Crew members could provide mutual education with training in both mid-wife training and basic nursing skills.
The DOH-ARMM shall help in the assessments and evaluation of the patients to be treaded in the Mercy Medical Ship. The Mercy, which will stay off-shore, will receive the patients via small boats. (BPI-ARMM)
No comments:
Post a Comment