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Tongan-U.S. Biomedical Repair Team Supports Niu'ui Hospital

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090721-10
Release Date: 7/21/2009 3:24:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Danny Hayes, Pacific Partnership 2009 Public Affairs

LIFUKA, Tonga (NNS) -- Pacific Partnership 2009 (PP09) biomedical repair technicians worked with Niu'ui Hospital's only biomedical equipment repair technician in Lifuka, Tonga, July 20 as part of a two-week medical civic action program (MEDCAP).

PP09 biomedical repair technicians repaired and performed maintenance on a variety of equipment, including an elderly woman's hearing aid and the refrigeration unit in the hospital morgue.

Joe Manu, Niu'ui Hospital's only biomedical equipment repair technician, does not live on the island of Lifuka and is only able to visit the hospital once a year.

"I'm from the main island. There's no one here to do the equipment services," said Manu.

Manu said that when he arrived on his most recent visit to Niu'ui Hospital, he noticed a significant amount of the medical equipment was out of service.

"Only one quarter of the equipment here was working," said Manu. "We're really lucky to have these two guys."

Manu is working with PP09 biomedical repair technicians Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jcid David and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (FMF) Stephen Para.

"It's good work, a lot of hands-on type of work," said David, who is stationed at Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan.

David and Para were able to show the hospital's medical staff how to properly use a baby incubator.

"No one was given the operator training," said David. "So, we had to dig into the books and show them how to use it."

U.S. Navy Lt. Leah Geislinger, the Niu'ui Hospital MEDCAP administrator, attributes much of the MEDCAP success to the great working relationship between Tongan medical professionals and the PP09 team.

"We have a very consistent team with the host nation," said Geislinger. "This MEDCAP has been going very smoothly. Set-up times are quicker. We got here this morning and started within five minutes of getting here."

Geislinger adds, "We really have established clear lines of communication and partnership."

PP09's crew in Tonga included military and government personnel from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, Tonga and the United States, as well as civilian volunteers from Project Hope, University of San Diego Pre-Dental Society and World Vets. Additionally, volunteers from the U.S. Peace Corps and the Tongan Red Cross assisted with translation at the sites.

For more news from Pacific Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cpf/.