Guard unit provides medical assistance in Peru

  • Published
  • By Maj. DeAnn Barr
  • 184th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
TACNA, Peru (AFPN) --  Thirty people from the Kansas Air National Guard's 184th Medical Group at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., returned home July 30 after providing humanitarian medical assistance to a needy portion of the civilian population here.

In nine days, seven medical doctors, one physician assistant and an entourage of medical specialists treated 5,092 patients in austere conditions.

"It was great training for us," said Lt. Col. (Dr.) John Carnahan, the group’s commander. "It was a way for everyone to come together and work as a team, much like it would be if we were to deploy to war."

The group provided dental, eye and medical care to the civilians in southern Peru who came to temporary clinics set up in local schools. The medical team changed locations three times in order to reach the greatest number of Peruvians.

Capt. Kathryn Watts-Harkness, a nurse practioner, was most touched by the gratitude of the people.

"I was amazed at how grateful they were to receive care, how much need there still is in that location, and their good will toward us," Captain Watts-Harkness said. "At one clinic, they applauded us when we arrived at the site. That brought tears to our eyes."

The captain also saw a wide variety of ailments.

"We saw a lot of different things you do not normally see in the U.S. because of our more advanced heath-care system, such as dry leprosy," she said.

Maj. (Dr.) Mark Buettgenbach was surprised at the number of people who came to seek treatment.

"We averaged about 500 patients each day, and I was shocked by the shear number of people asking for care,” he said. “They were always so grateful, even when we could not help them."

The medical group was asked by the Peruvian minister of heath to participate in this joint exercise with the Peruvian military. This is the third humanitarian aid mission the group has participated in since 1993. Previous missions were to Ukraine and Honduras.