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APS Swift Medical Team Travels to Liberian Interior

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090913-05
Release Date: 9/13/2009 6:55:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1nd Class (SW) Dan Meaney, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

TUBMANBERG, Liberia (NNS) -- Africa Partnership Station (APS) Swift's Medical Team III returned today to the Liberian government hospital here in Bomi County Sept. 10.

This is the fourth day the Navy physician, nurse, and corpsman have driven the two hours to the hospital near the Sierra Leone border to offer free examinations, diagnoses, treatment, and medicine as part of a U.S. Navy medical civil action project (MEDCAP) in the country.

Medical Team III is one of three medical teams aboard APS Swift in Liberia, all of which are visiting hospitals and clinics throughout the region. Navy physician, Cmdr. Lloyd G. Burgess of naval hospital Sigonella, Sicily; Navy nurse, Lt.j.g Kevin A. LeLacheur of Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Fla.; and Petty Officer 2nd Class Lillian A. Ramirez of Naval Hospital Portsmouth, Va.; began the MEDCAP on Sept. 5 and have been challenged tending to the many types of treatment needed at the hospital.

"We've seen all different types of cases here," said LeLacheur. "From an elderly burn victim to a newborn who was found wrapped in plastic and discarded in the grass. A collapsed building left a woman with so many broken bones she was brought to the hospital in a wheelbarrow. It's been worth the commute for all of us."

APS Swift's mission in the country is, in part, a collaborative outreach between the U.S. military and Liberians to address pressing health care needs.
APS is an international initiative under Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U.S., European and African partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent.

APS provides a unique venue to align maritime engagements by utilizing an international team of expert trainers in a variety of military capacities and civilian fields.

Homeported in Norfolk, Va., high-speed vessel Swift is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. The ship has supported various partnership-building operations and training throughout much of the world, including APS, and will continue to visit ports throughout the region.