Mercy Finishes Humanitarian Aid in Philippines
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060621-02
Release Date: 6/21/2006 7:33:00 AM
By Journalist Seaman Apprentice Mike Leporati, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
TAWI-TAWI, Philippines (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) left the Republic of the Philippines June 18 after spending four weeks providing humanitarian assistance in three provinces.
The ship is continuing its five-month deployment with similar activities planned in Indonesia, Bangladesh and East Timor.
The diverse crew of U.S. and foreign military medical professionals, nongovernmental organization volunteers, Navy Seabees and Navy musicians provided care and support in Zamboanga, Jolo and Tawi-Tawi. The crew had more than 50,000 interactions with local residents, helping to train almost 700 local medical professionals, operating on more than 300 patients, and completing dozens of construction projects and band concerts.
“This activity has had a dramatic effect on the people of Tawi-Tawi, and previously to the people of Sulu,” said Avelino Cruz Jr., Philippine secretary of defense. “This is a powerful activity that can affect the mindset of the people here. It’s a better approach to life than conflict is. This tells us that there are people in the world that are willing to help; it is the right thing to do.”
Doing the right thing is what Mercy’s staff of doctors, nurses and corpsmen were sent here for. The staff offered training in basic life saving, emergency obstetrics, and disease control and prevention.
“I’m so happy to get to come aboard this amazing, high-tech ship,” said Ajar L. Jammanq, a 45-year-old Jolo native. “All the Americans were very friendly and helpful.”
The assortment of courses took place aboard Mercy and during Medical Civic Action Projects (MEDCAP) at local hospitals and health centers.
“I feel really blessed that I get to use my work time to be doing something I believe in,” said Lt. j.g. Courtney Crane, a nurse aboard the ship. “It’s nice to also be [working] with people who are excited about doing so much good for so many people.”
Rosiebel Atilano, a 25-year-old Filipino girl from Zamboanga who was treated aboard Mercy for a thyroid problem, said she was very pleased with the treatment she received.
“I am very happy that I’m here in the ship,” Atilano said with the help of a translator. “They will operate for free – that makes me happy. [Everyone] was very helpful and accommodating.”
While doctors, nurses and corpsmen treated the local people, the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 40 worked right alongside Mercy’s medical staff to help rebuild local facilities. NMCB 40 contributed to Mercy’s mission by finishing 74 construction and engineering projects that were desperately needed.
“All the electrical work done here is making it a lot safer place to be,” said Chief Construction Electrician Michael Gallagher, assistant officer-in-charge of the civic action team. “It’s very rewarding to do these jobs that mean so much to the locals. They are really taking a liking to the team and treating us great because of what we are doing.”
“I never thought that the U.S. Navy would be here helping us make these repairs,” said Richie Bejerano, a Zamboanga construction worker. “We thank them for taking some of the load off our shoulders in making these repairs.”
At each port visit, NMCB 40 also teamed up with local construction workers during some of their projects and trained them in building maintenance. Once they completed a project, they left behind not only a better structure, but a trained crew to help keep it in shape.
“The patients along with the medical staff are very happy that the hospital is in better shape,” said Anton Mari Lim, Zamboanga coordinator for the Tzu Chi Foundation, one of the nongovernmental organizations that volunteered for this mission. “The repairs are a big help to transferring patients, as well as the patients’ living conditions while they are here.”
Mercy will continue to provide more aid during the following months in host nations in the Pacific Islands, and South and Southeast Asia.
“It’s very fulfilling that with the skills we have, we can make a difference,” said Musician 1st Class Ian Charleton, a saxophone player in the U.S. Navy Show Band, which is also embarked aboard Mercy to participate in community relations activities. “Maybe it’s someone that’s never encountered the Navy or Americans before, and if this is the impression that we can give out, then I think I can sleep well knowing I did my job representing my country and my service in the best possible way.”
Mercy’s team consists of a unique array of medical personnel creating a hospital capable of delivering humanitarian needs to people worldwide. Her crew of American military medical professionals and nongovernmental organizations merged with military doctors and care givers from India, Canada and the Philippines.
The alliance produced smiles in every port by screening patients and distributing eye glasses, performing life-saving and minor surgeries, and treating and prescribing medicine for thousands.
Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited Mercy June 9 to see firsthand the work being done. She expressed gratitude not only for the friendship and partnership between the Filipino and U.S. governments, but the thanks of the people Mercy helped.
“We are so happy to have you here,” Arroyo said when addressing a group of Mercy’s Filipino-American Sailors. “We are so proud of you, and we are so grateful. All of your patients are so glad to have you here. Keep it up, and mabuhay.”
“It was very successful,” said Sadikul Sahali, governor of the Tawi-Tawi province. “People were treated for many diseases. I hope Mercy will come back to the province of Tawi-Tawi. We hope this is only the first time you come, not the last.”
For related news, visit the Pacific Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cpf/.
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