Air Force medics provide medical care in Panama

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ben Sakrisson
  • Air University Public Affairs
CHITRE, Panama (AFPN) --  A two-week U.S. Southern Command sponsored exercise designed to hone the skills of medical personnel while providing free health care in remote locations began here July 12 with the arrival of medics from seven military installations. 

The Medical Readiness Training Exercise, or MEDRETE, in Panama is one of about 70 MEDRETEs sponsored each year by U.S. Southern Command and, through partnership with host-nation doctors, will treat patients at three rural locations. 

The range of medical specialties of the Air Force medics involved in this MEDRETE includes dentists, optometrists, general physicians, a pediatrician and a dermatologist.
 
While Panama has a national health care system, in many remote locations it is cost prohibitive for patients to travel to a doctor on a regular basis. The intent of this mission is to bring medical care to a location accessible by the patients and enable those requiring routine care to simultaneously be entered into the government health care system. 

The opportunity to deliver free medical care can make a lifelong difference to patients suffering from maladies for extended periods of time. 

"As long as they do not lose the eyeglasses, they will last them for a number of years," said Maj. (Dr.) Darrell S. Grise, an optometrist deployed here from the 96th Aeromedical Dental Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. "We get a lot of bang for the buck, at a relatively low cost for a pair of glasses, the patients see a drastic difference in their lives." 

Some of the doctors have been on numerous humanitarian aid missions before, such as Major Grise who has been on four previous trips. For others, like Capt. (Dr.) Bryan A. Farford, a family physician here from the 81st Medical Operations Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., this is their first experience. 

"I had been wanting to do this for a while, but I did not know how to get selected," Captain Farford said. "One day I got a call and it just fell into my lap. It is rewarding to me to be able to take part in such a wonderful experience. I feel that this is a great opportunity to provide medical care for people that do not have true access to care." 

In the weeks ahead, it is anticipated that the medical team will see thousands of patients over the course of the MEDRETE. 

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