US, Filipino docs bring medical, dental services closer to home

Courtesy Photo | Petty Officer 2nd Class Dwayne O. Lopez, a field corpsman and pharmacy technician for Marine Aircraft Group 36, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade and 2nd Lt. Abegail Redigor, nurse, Philippine Air Force's Nurses Corps discuss dosages of antibiotics during the first in a series of medical and dental civic action projects here, Oct. 13. The projects are part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011, a two-week bilateral training exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Marines and sailors from 3d MEB. The exercise is designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and to foster professional relationships between the two countries. (Photo by Cpl. Brandon L. Saunders)  

TARLAC PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES

10.13.2010

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

TARLAC PROVINCE, Philippines -- Several hundred townspeople gathered to watch as a convoy of vehicles made its way down a dirt road to the San Vicente School where Marines and sailors from Marine Aircraft Group 36, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and their counterparts from the Philippine Air Force conducted the first in a series of medical and dental civic action projects here, Oct. 13.

The projects are part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011, a two-week bilateral training exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Marines and sailors from 3d MEB. The exercise is designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and to foster professional relationships between the two countries.

Throughout the day, the group of military members provided a wide-variety of medical services during the MEDCAP and DENCAP, according to Navy Lt. Layra Avalos, Dale City, Va., native and medical civil military operations coordinator, 3d MEB.

"The medical team provided basic medical care, antibiotics and topical medications," she said adding that the dental teams provided basic dental assessments and extractions, and the optometrist conducted eye exams.

"It is nice that we have these type of medical missions during the exercise," said Dr. Evangelina Legaspi, Bamban Municipal health director.

Legaspi added that most of the people from this area live anywhere from 10-12 kilometers away from any medical facilities, so having medical and dental care available so close makes things much more feasible for the locals.

"Because of the local economic hardships here, most people rely on herbal medicines grown in their backyards, rather than traveling to great distances to the nearest hospital."

According to Maj. Eric J. Mattson, a civil affairs officer for 3rd MEB, this is exactly the reason why the two military's continue to conduct these types of missions.

"Because this is such a remote area, a lot of the local people don't have easy access to medical treatment or medicines," he said.

One patient mentioned that her treatment here would have normally cost her three months of rent, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Glenn K. Paoa, the administrative and personnel chief augmented to Marine Aircraft Group 36, 3d MEB.

The Baranguy Captain Danilo Adrias said the event was a huge success for everyone and he hopes to continue strengthening an already strong relationship between the two countries.

• Date Taken: 10.13.2010
• Date Posted: 10.13.2010 23:33
• Story ID: 58048
• Location: TARLAC PROVINCE, PH