USNS Mercy Begins Humanitarian Work In Zamboanga
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060527-08
Release Date: 5/27/2006 1:34:00 PM
By Journalist Seaman Joseph Caballero, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (NNS) -- The crew of the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) completed their first day of humanitarian work May 26 by treating more than 45 patients off the shore of the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga.
Mercy’s arrival here marks the start of the real work for its five-month deployment, as the crew partners up with the host nation and non-governmental organizations that include Project HOPE, Aloha Medical Mission, and the Tzu Chi Foundation to deliver humanitarian assistance and civic aid to area residents.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to for us to be here,” said Michael Foster, a trauma emergency room nurse with Project HOPE. “It’s a good experience to see organizations like the U.S. Navy and Project HOPE work together. We worked together with the Navy once before in Louisiana (during hurricane relief). I hope we can continue to build a strong relationship and cohesiveness with the Navy.”
Mercy’s crew along with personnel from the Army, Air Force and non-governmental organizations (NGO) started treating various diseases, ranging from thyroid disease to cataracts and hernias.
“These are surgeries that we do on a daily basis in the states,” said Lt. Stella Annunziato, a staff nurse of casualty receiving. “These are people in need. That’s why we were asked to come here and treat these people.”
Rosiebel Atilano, a 25-year-old Filipino woman from Zamboanga, came to Mercy with a thyroid problem and said she was very pleased with the treatment she received.
“I am very happy that I’m here in the ship,” said Atilano with the help of a translator. “They will operate for free – that makes me happy. [Everyone] was very helpful and accommodating.”
Along with the NGOs and joint military services, Mercy was also joined by Filipino military translators and medical personnel.
“It’s nice to work with such diversity,” said Lt. j.g. Catherine Soteras, a charge nurse for the intensive care unit and post-anesthesia care unit. “This is the first time that we’ve worked with Filipino officials. We will teach them [medical techniques] that are hard to translate. In turn, they can teach others what they’ve learned here.”
The Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 40 also deployed with Mercy to work on construction projects in various cities during Mercy’s deployment. The U.S. Navy Showband also accompanied Mercy on its deployment to entertain and perform for the crew and host nation residents.
For this deployment, Mercy has been configured with special medical equipment and a robust multispecialized medical team of uniformed and civilian health care providers to provide a range of services ashore, as well as on board the ship.
The San Diego-homeported ship can support various services, such as casualty reception, optometry screenings, eyewear distribution, physical therapy, burn care, radiological and laboratory services, dermatology, urology, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, ophthalmologic surgery, plastic surgery, basic medical evaluation and treatment, preventative medicine treatment, dental screenings and treatment, immunizations, public health training and assessment, vector control and veterinary services.
Mercy is uniquely capable of supporting medical and humanitarian assistance needs and can rapidly respond to a range of situations on short notice.
Last year, Mercy deployed in response to the December 2004 tsunami that struck Southeast Asia. That deployment resulted in the treatment of more than 107,000 patients, including 466 surgeries, distribution of 11,555 pairs of eyeglasses and performance of more than 6,900 dental procedures in Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea.
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