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Tarawa ESG Improving Lives in Djibouti

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080404-16
Release Date: 4/4/2008 3:34:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Carlos Cepeda, USS Tarawa Public Affairs

ARTA, Djibouti (NNS) -- The 354th Civil Affairs Brigade (CAB) Functional Speciality Team from Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa (CTJF-HOA), kicked off a six-day medical civil action project (MEDCAP) and dental civil action project (DENCAP) in the Arta District of Djibouti, March 29.

Hospital corpsmen from the USS Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed the multiservice team, bringing basic primary medical care to three villages which did not have the benefit of local health care facilities.

"We saw 262 patients in one day. Of those, eight went on to see our dentist, who pulled nine teeth--mostly from children under age 12, and their mothers," said Navy Lt. Sara C. Nelson, team leader for the 11th MEU.

The team treated a range of illnesses from coughs and colds to skin diseases caused by malnutrition.

"Every patient that came through and wasn't pregnant got multivitamins and mabendozol, an antibiotic that gets rid of worms. We also dispensed a lot of pain and cold medicines, antibiotics, and topical skin creams," said Nelson.

According to Army Lt. Col. Earl M. Hariston, mission leader for the 354th CAB, CJFT-HOA conducts MEDCAPs and DENCAPs in Djibouti and seven other partner nations in the HOA at least once or twice a year. "In this case, we are trying to do three villages in each one of the five districts surrounding Djibouti in one year."

"Tarawa ESG staff have been very helpful and beneficial, essentially doubling the number of medics we have," said Cmdr. Alan Philippi, public health physician for the 354th CAB. "It was exciting to see Navy corpsmen and Army medics working together."

The Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group is conducting Maritime Security Operations off the coast of Djibouti. Maritime Security Operations help set the conditions for security in the maritime environment, which promotes stability and global prosperity. These operations complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

For more news from Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/tarawaesg/.