Pharmacist dispenses much-needed medicine for Malians

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Justin Weaver
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
BAMAKO, Mali (AFPN) --  Boxes filled the small supply room-turned pharmacy as servicemembers painstakingly sorted through more than 30,000 pills destined for thousands of Malians July 15.

More than 90 doctors, nurses and medical technicians deployed to Mali for MEDFLAG 08, a multinational medical training exercise designed to enhance medical capabilities and readiness for U.S. and African forces.

For Master Sgt. Daniel McCain, the NCO in charge of pharmacy services from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, this is his first deployment and it's far from an average day in the pharmacy back home.

"Typically, we have a staff of 20 helping an average of 400 patients a day," said Sergeant McCain while sorting piles of multivitamins. "Here in Mali, I'm the only pharmacy technician working with medical volunteers to help process enough medication for at least 500 patients a day."

Although the location and staff might be different for Sergeant McCain, the mission is still the same. "It's just a matter of learning to adapt and remain flexible here," he said.

Various medical teams will visit four different Malian villages July 21-24. During that time, they will treat patients for worms, stomach viruses, malaria and other common illnesses.

Sergeant McCain and his team of volunteers have been sorting, labeling and standardizing more than 40 types of medication during the past three days for the medical teams to easily distribute.

"Our job is to support the physicians and give them whatever they need to treat their patients," he said. "We'll also be educating the Malians on the medicine they'll be taking with the help of pictorials and French translators."

According to the World Health Organization, Malians spend less than $60 a year per capita on medical care compared to the U.S., where $6,350 annually is the average.

"Knowing I've done something to help the Malians, who otherwise couldn't afford it, is huge," Sergeant McCain said.

The MEDFLAG 08 team will provide a full array of specialties to include: surgeons, physicians, dentists, optometrists and public health staff. The team also consists of bioenvironmental engineering staff, nurses, medical technicians, logistics staff and administrative specialists.

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