Navy Ship in Guyana (Med assistance in exchange for ???)

The US Navy Ship ( U S N S ) U S S Kearsarge docked in Guyana on Sunday it will be providing medical and dental care to adults and children in Region One, while Regions Three and Four will benefit from construction projects.

The opening ceremony was held at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre, U. S. Ambassador to Guyana, John Jones, said that during the planning stages, the challenges encountered during the last visit by the USNS Comfort were taken into consideration, but the importance of the relationship with the Guyanese people was the deciding factor in ensuring the project continued. (really, something is still telling me that the US is getting something out of this exchange). He added that during that visit, more than 10,000 persons were treated and there was a high level of commitment for the project.

The USS Kearsarge will maneuver along the coast to allow for easy offloading of supplies and equipment, and to facilitate those getting on board. The mission commenced yesterday and will conclude November 22. The team will be providing medical care at the Mabaruma Learning Resource Centre, the Santa Rosa District Hospital and the Port Kaituma Secondary School.

Commander Frank Ponds ( i listened to the interview he gave reporters this week and i am suspect about this guy- but kudos to what they are doing they are helping the sick) pointed out that the Continuing Promise team comprises 1,500 members, who are just as committed as they were at the start of the mission in August. He noted that Guyana is the last stop before the team returns to the United States, having visited Nicaragua, Columbia, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago.

A list of persons requiring surgeries, which was chosen from patients at the clinics, has already been compiled by the ministry.

Others who require surgeries can also be added to the list while open clinics will be conducted at the venues.

The USS Kearsarge mission was initiated in recognition of the shared history and close relationship between the United States and its hemispheric neighbours. Part of the ‘ Continuing Promise’ mission is to enhance collaboration and coordination between governments, health service providers and military personnel.

Source: Guyana Times