USNS Mercy Concludes Bangladesh Aid Mission
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060708-03
Release Date: 7/8/2006 9:16:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph Caballero, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) concluded an eight-day humanitarian assistance mission here July 8 where Mercy crew members, nongovernmental organization (NGO) volunteers, and foreign military medical professionals partnered together to perform a wide range of humanitarian and civic assistance and community outreach projects.
Having recently completed 24 days of humanitarian work in the Philippines, Mercy’s stay here marks the third month of assistance to people in the Pacific islands, and South and Southeast Asia.
Mercy medical crew treated thousands of patients aboard ship and ashore. Along with NGO partners that included Operation Smile, the Aloha Medical Mission, Project HOPE, the University of California at San Diego Pre-Dental Society, Bangladesh medical professionals and U.S. and foreign military medical personnel, the Mercy team helped perform corrective cleft lip and palate surgeries while in Bangladesh.
“We got a lot of people aboard to get cleft palates and lips repaired. Operation Smile was a big success aboard,” said Capt. Bradley Martin, Mercy mission commander. “We got a tremendous amount of interaction with the host nation and with NGOs ashore. It was a very effective effort.”
Mercy and Operation Smile fixed 60 young patients’ smiles aboard the ship.
“For us to be able to bring these children aboard and operate with all the support staff and medical people is just a bonus for us and a real treat,” said Dr. Robert Rubin, chief medical officer of Operation Smile.
A local resident named Juvaida, who brought her 7-month-old son for a cleft lip surgery, stayed for a few days aboard Mercy as her son recovered.
“I am very happy to be here,” said Juvaida. “We are satisfied to come on the ship and very happy to get this treatment on this ship because the doctors in the ship are the most experienced … and the surgery is more smooth than at home.”
Aside from doctors and nurses, Mercy’s diverse crew includes a 15-man team of Seabees, the U.S. Navy Showband and a biomedical equipment repair team.
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 40 sent its team of Seabees on Mercy’s deployment to perform minor construction projects at each stop. The Seabees made repairs and improvements to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital. They replaced broken 30-year-old ceiling and exhaust fans, constructed cabinets for the operating room and even painted the pediatric ward complete with cartoon characters.
“Painting the ward was one of the smallest jobs – one of the easiest things to do, but I think it will have one of the biggest impacts,” said Chief Construction Electrician Mike Gallagher, assistant officer in charge of the team.
The Showband, based out of Norfolk, performed for cheering packed houses. The band blended the sounds of brass instruments with electric guitars as they performed hits by various pop artists from classic to current.
“I think that they love the music because they are able to experience live American music,” said Musician 3rd Class Rachel Lucterhand, the band’s main vocalist. “We were lucky to get to interact with the audience; it’s all I want to do.”
Mercy’s biomedical equipment repair team worked ashore at the Chittagong Medical College Hospital where it fixed medical electrical equipment, providing the hospital greater capabilities and funds for other expenses. Some of the equipment included infant incubators, microscopes and electric surgical units.
“Every piece of equipment we fix results in added patient care,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jephunneh Mecate, a biomedical repair technician. “If we weren’t there, it would have taken them a while – probably six months or a year – before they could have used some of the equipment.”
The biomedical team also trained local electricians how to repair many of the devices, so that if something breaks again it would be an easier, quicker fix.
Some of Mercy’s crew also taught classes to local experts and some of the medical college’s future medical experts in areas including the treatment and prevention of HIV, tuberculosis and renal failure. Lt. Cmdr. Helen Chun, an infectious disease specialist who spoke at the lectures, said a great deal was learned on both sides of the lectern.
“The crucial part in this mission is the exchange of ideas,” said Chun. “These are bright clinicians working with the resources that they have. I think we brought some new insights to them and more up-to-date perspectives.”
Mercy’s Navy crew worked together with a number of U.S. and Bangladesh government, military and civilian agencies, as well as military medical specialists from the U.S. Army and Air Force, India, Singapore and Canada to accomplish the medical, dental and civic-action programs that provided focused humanitarian assistance to the people of Bangladesh.
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.
“I think the operations in Bangladesh went superbly,” said Capt. Joseph Moore, the Mercy Medical Treatment Facility commanding officer. “We had very a good collaboration between physicians and medical staff. It feels good to make a difference.”
Marina Yasmin, a U.S. Embassy worker said, “Mercy gained friendship because of the excellent service and the way Mercy treated the Bangladesh people, who are really very grateful and happy. It would be nice if Mercy comes back again.”
For related news, visit the Pacific Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cpf/.
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