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CJTF-HOA conducts largest MEDCAP during operation

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 6/9/2003 Story by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

BALBALA, Djibouti(June 9, 2003) -- A group of medical personnel from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and the German Army lent its expertise to hundreds of citizens here June 7 during the largest Medical Civil Action Program the task force has conducted.

A key element of CJTF-HOA's counter-terrorism mission lies in making a positive difference in the lives of the people in the region as well as their environment.

This MEDCAP, put together by the U.S. Army's C Company, 478th Civil Affairs Battalion, marked the fourth venture for CJTF-HOA in the past six months.

Before sunrise, hundreds of residents began lining up outside the Community Center of Hayabley. The doctors treated more than 250 patients throughout the day.

According to Army Capt. James P. McGinnis, a physician's assistant with C Co. The number of patients seen during this event is double the previous MEDCAPs.

"The most challenging thing when trying to coordinate a MEDCAP is getting the logistics figured out," the Aberdeen, N.C., native explained. "Without the right number of doctors and medics to see patients, there's no way to be successful."

Finding doctors, nurses and physician's assistants for the mission was not a daunting task for McGinnis and the rest of C Co. For the first time in CJTF-HOA history, Coalition medical professionals teamed-up with American forces during the MEDCAP.

A 13-man group comprised of U.S. Army and Navy medical care providers, along with a dentist and physician from the German Army, participated in the civil-military mission.

"I was so glad when the Germans decided to come out here and help us because it's very exciting being able to see the 'combined' in Combined Joint Task Force in action," McGinnis said. "Plus, it gives us another pool to get doctors from for future MEDCAPs."

Cmdr. Markus Bolten, a physician, and Lt. Cmdr. Mirco Jogschies, a dentist from the German supply ship Donau, were happy to volunteer their time to the Djiboutians and Americans alike.

Jogshies stated, "This has been a great experience for us to work with the U.S. military because we can share our knowledge with them and they can do the same with us. All the while, the Djiboutians can see that we only want to help them while we're here."

The joint effort paid off for many of the villagers.

Most of the area's 40,000 residents rarely see a doctor.

"I am the only doctor in this area, and I see about 600 people a week," said the town's doctor, Osman Ali Ahmed. "My staff of 13 and I see a lot of cases of tuberculosis and malnutrition."

The task force's doctors treated and diagnosed a variety of illnesses, ranging from bronchitis to cancer.

Ahmed personally thanked the American and German medical care providers for their time and help.

"One of the most important reasons for MEDCAPs is that we want to show the locals who Americans are and what we're all about. It's going to be pretty hard for a person or group to convince a sick person that we made feel better that Americans are bad, evil people," stated McGinnis.