News>JTF-Bravo delivers medical care to 1,400 Guatemalans
Photos
1st Lt. Mario Torres, a MEDEL admin officer, Capt. Katie Whitehurst, the officer-in-charge of preventive medicine, and Staff Sgt. Kevin Cook, a MEDEL food inspector, prepare medicine kits for patients during the medical readiness and training exercise in El Codo Dec. 9, 2011. Twenty-two members from Joint Task Force-Bravo provided medical care to more than 1,400 residents Dec. 8-13 in an isolated region of southwest Guatemala. In fiscal year 2011, JTF-Bravo medical members conducted 15 MEDRETES treating more than 41,000 patients throughout Central America. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Candice Allen)
Tech. Sgt. Jose Libunao, a MEDEL EMT medic, conducts an ear flush on a young patient during the medical readiness and training exercise in El Codo, Guatemala Dec. 10, 2011. Libunao was part of a 22-member team from Joint Task Force-Bravo that provided medical care to more than 1,400 residents Dec. 8-13 in an isolated region of southwest Guatemala. In fiscal year 2011, JTF-Bravo medical members conducted 15 MEDRETES treating more than 41,000 patients throughout Central America. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Candice Allen)
by Capt. Candice Allen
Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs
1/4/2012 - CHAMPERICO, Guatemala (AFNS) -- Twenty-two members from Joint Task Force-Bravo provided medical care to more than 1,400 residents Dec. 8-13 in an isolated region of southwest Guatemala.
JTF-Bravo members teamed up with their Guatemalan medical partners, including the Guatemalan Ministry of Health and the Military Group in El Codo and Champerico.
During the medical readiness and training exercise, medical professionals treated illnesses including respiratory infections, skin infections, pneumonia, tuberculosis, diabetes and high blood pressure in the region.
"This was a great opportunity to enhance our partnership with the Guatemalan government and its' Ministry of Health," said Col. Matthew Rettke, commander of Medical Element, Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras.
The service members set up clinics, screened patients, checked prescriptions, taught prevention health classes and provided dental care.
"These types of missions provide the opportunity to work as a team with partner nations, allowing us to provide health care to underserved populations," said Dr. Guillermo Saenz, a Honduran medical officer from MEDEL.
By the end of the four-day mission, U.S. and Guatemalan medical staff assisted nearly 150 dental patients and screened more than 1,000 people.
More than 650 Guatemalans received items from the pharmacy who otherwise may not have received prescriptions.
"I'm very thankful and happy that they're here," said Juan Reyes, a Champerico resident who attended the medical readiness training exercise. "The medicine is hard to get (here) or they don't have enough supplies."
In addition to the medical care, JTF-Bravo service members established a command and control function at the MEDRETE. Six JTF-Bravo members established and maintained communication with Soto Cano Air Base via satellite during the exercise.
JTF-Bravo's medical professionals are slated to conduct another MEDRETE in Honduras next month. In fiscal year 2011, JTF-Bravo medical members conducted 15 MEDRETES treating more than 41,000 patients throughout Central America.
Comments
1/5/2012 6:40:34 PM ET Thank you to the GIs who performed this aid to the Guateanmalians in this remote section of their country.Why don't I see these USA military types of missions in my newspapers or on the TV news Glad I recieve the af.milnews on my computor. Bravo for our troops and our country.
