Servicemembers treat 1,300 patients in Peru

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shaun Emery
  • Joint Task Force Bravo Public Affairs
PISCO, Peru (AFPN) --  Members of Joint Task Force-Bravo's medical disaster relief task force continue to supply medical assistance to the citizens of Pisco, Peru, following an 8.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the region Aug. 15. 

Medical team members deployed from Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, have treated more than 1,300 patients with a wide variety of conditions since arriving Aug. 17. 

Most patients required medicines for gastro-intestinal illnesses, respiratory illnesses, minor wounds and aches and pains. In addition to basic medicines and medical care, members of the field team diagnosed a case of appendicitis in the field and quickly had the patient transported to the mobile surgical team stationed at the airport.

News of the American medical team's presence traveled quickly through the town and to other agencies providing assistance. When other agencies arrived to help, members of Joint Task Force-Bravo's medical team were able to pack up and move to another location to provide more care.

"Once more agencies arrived, we realized we would be able to move locations and provide help to more people," said Master Sgt. Deborah Davis, the task force NCO in charge. "There are so many people in need. I'm glad we could offer our services to so many people."

As the mission wrapped up, many of the medical team members reflected on the time they spent in Peru.

"The fact that we executed within 20 hours of notification and were the first American contingent speaks volumes of our capability," said Maj. Paul Valdez, the medical operations officer in charge. "It just goes to show that our military is capable of providing humanitarian assistance anytime, anywhere in the world." 

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