Photo By Staff Sgt. Fredrick Varney | Sgt. Samantha Miller, a dental technician assigned to the Utah National Guard Medical...... read more read more
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U.S. Soldiers and Marines worked together to open a free medical clinic April 9, 2017, as a part of Beyond the Horizon 2017.
BTH 2017 is a partnership exercise between the Government of Belize and U.S. Southern Command that will provide three free medical service events and five construction projects throughout the country of Belize from March 25 until June 17.
Members of the Utah National Guard‘s Medical Command were on site to provide several different basic medical procedures and health care services to the local Belizean population.
“We are providing dental services, vision exams, general medicine, a women’s health clinic, and a pediatric clinic,” said Lt. Col. Erin Merryweather, Deputy Commander of Clinical Services with the Utah MEDCOM.
Merryweather said the free medical clinic would be open at the Ladyville Recreation Center until April 21, with a break in operation April 14-16 over the holiday weekend.
“Past experiences have shown there is the potential to treat up to six or seven hundred patients a day during this event,” said Merryweather.
Merryweather added that some of the common ailments and illnesses the health care providers are seeing has included issues related to high blood pressure, diabetes, dermatological issues, dental problems, and the common cold.
Spc. Braydon Berger, a combat medic also assigned to the Utah MEDCOM, said his experience had been very humbling since arriving in Belize.
“I have spent a great deal of time today encouraging females to visit the women’s health clinic,” said Berger. “Women’s health is a very important issue that needs to be addressed and I am glad our professionally trained Soldiers are here to help the people of Belize.”
Berger said this was his first overseas training mission and he was very happy to see all the smiling faces leaving the medical clinic today.
“It’s a true blessing to be a part of this medical mission,” said Sgt. Johnny Noles, a combat medic assigned to the 128th Medical Company based in Ashland, Alabama. “Our Soldiers want to do well for this community and create a good positive vibe for what the U.S. military can and will do for the people of Belize.”
Access to quality healthcare is a key component to the mission of BTH 2017, as well as strengthening ties with the Belizean Government and its people.
Noles said offering the free medical clinic was a great way to help build positive relationships with the Belizean community.
“We are truly impacting and we are treating people,” said Noles. “So anytime that you treat people, they are going to come away with not only the treatment, but a good positive outlook of what we are about.”
| Date Taken: | 04.09.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 04.10.2017 19:10 |
| Story ID: | 229876 |
| Location: | LADYVILLE, BZ |
| Web Views: | 321 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Beyond the Horizon 2017 provides free medical services event in Ladyville, by SSG Fredrick Varney, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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