Airmen assist with volcano disaster relief

  • Published
  • By Capt. Nancy Kuck
  • U.S. Military Group Quito Public Affairs
PINEPE, Ecuador (AFPN) --  An eight-person Air Force medical readiness team is providing assistance to Ecuadorians affected by the Tungurahua volcano eruption here Aug. 16.

Airmen from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.; Travis AFB, Calif., Minot AFB, N.D., and Goodfellow and Lackland AFB, Texas, specialize in dermatology; ophthalmology; eyes, ears, nose and throat disorders; and family practice.

The team's role in the medical readiness exercise, or MEDRETE, is to work with Ecuadorian military doctors to provide medical attention to volcano victims in areas surrounding the Rio Bamba province. After discussion with the Ecuadorian military, the U.S. Southern Command identified these specialties as being the most useful in providing additional help for the people of Ecuador affected by the Tungurahua volcano eruption. 

"(Nearly 1,500) patients have been seen in the past three days," said Lt. Col. (Dr.)  Mark Boston, pediatric otolaryngologist and MEDRETE team leader from Lackland AFB.  "Most of what we seen have been eye irritation, sinuses and inflammation of the throat and nose cavity."

The majority of patients visiting the clinic were experiencing breathing problems from the volcanic ash exposures. The ages of patients range from infants to adults.

"Although they are coming in with breathing problems, there has not been any wheezing symptoms or asthma, which is amazing," said Capt. (Dr.) Aaron Ament, a family practice physician from Minot AFB. "Even with all the exposure, I have not seen any lung infections."

Air Force and Peace Corps translators were on site to help the physicians communicate with the patients and Ecuadorian military doctors.

The MEDRETE team has been working quickly to treat the patients and provide medications that were purchased by the U.S. Southern Command through the U.S. Military Group in Quito. Approximately $70,000 of medical supplies was purchased to help the MEDRETE team treat the patients.

"Most of the patients have not been challenging from a medical standpoint but more from a humanitarian standpoint," Colonel Boston said. "I think everyone has been able to provide some type of care to the patients who were seen here today. We continue to be here to tend the medical challenges from the volcano eruption."

The MEDRETE is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored readiness training exercise designed to bring humanitarian assistance and free medical care to the people of Ecuador, while providing training opportunities for U.S. and Ecuadorian forces.