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Continuing Promise Brings Medical Aid to El Salvador, Reunites Families

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080529-11
Release Date: 5/29/2008 3:15:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Porter Anderson, USS Boxer Public Affairs

ACAJUTLA, El Salvador (NNS) -- Continuing Promise (CP) 2008 health care providers, embarked aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4), worked with partner-nation medical teams to provide health care to the citizens of Acajutla, May 26.

CP is an equal-partnership humanitarian civic assistance mission teaming American and Salvadoran healthcare providers and relief capabilities to demonstrate the cooperative partnerships among allies.

Twenty-five Salvadoran medical professionals worked side-by-side with 64 CP health care providers at the site, which is the newly repaired and refurbished Canton la Sunza school.

"Working with the host nation's medical providers has been a great experience," said U.S. Public Health Service Cmdr. Inzune Hwang, a doctor and the site leader. "They have helped keep the flow of patients going, we are learning something from them and, at the same time, we are teaching them."

The team of United States and Salvadoran medical professionals treated and diagnosed more than 1,200 patients in just the first day at the site. Services offered include dentistry, general medical practice and optometry.

"This is a wonderful experience," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Catherine Daniels. "I love interacting with people and I get a chance to do that while learning Spanish. This is just a great opportunity."

The medical treatment of the Salvadoran people is not the only thing that can be found at the Canton la Sunza school house. There is also a chance to renew old bonds with friends and family.

The site offered Boxer's Personnel Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Maria Arteaga the chance to see her grandmother, aunt, uncle and cousins for the first time in four years.

"It was a very emotional time to see them again; I cried and my grandma cried as well," said Arteaga. "I haven't seen them in so long and I am so grateful for this chance to see them again."

Arteaga's family received dental exams and her grandmother got a new pair of glasses.

The nearly week-long operation at the medical site at Canton la Sunza's school will give thousands of Salvadorans a chance to get various kinds of primary medical care, the first of any kind for many.

Boxer's mission exemplifies the U.S. maritime strategy which emphasizes deploying forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests.

For more news from USS Boxer, visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd4/.