Media Release
Free U.S. Navy Health Care in Chuuk This Month
August 15, 2008
The United States Hospital Ship USNS Mercy, with an embarked team of some 500 health service professionals, will visit Chuuk Lagoon from August 22-September 1. The crew of the Mercy will participate in Pacific Partnership 2008, a humanitarian civic assistance mission in the Western Pacific. The Pacific Partnership Team, working in close partnership with Chuuk State Health Department colleagues, will conduct medical, optometry and dental community outreach clinics at thirteen locations in the municipalities on islands of the Chuuk Lagoon according to the following schedule:
- On Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24, at Sopota Elementary School on Uman
- On Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24, at Sapou Elementary & Polle Jr. High School on Polle
- On Monday, August 25 and Tuesday, August 26, at Nechap Village on Tonoas
- On Monday, August 25, at Epin Elementary School on Paata
- On Tuesday, August 26, at Sapitiw Elementary School on Onei
- On Wednesday, August 27, at Siis Elementary School on Tsis
- On Wednesday, August 27, at Romonum Elementary School on Romonum
- On Thursday, August 28, at Parem Elementary School on Parem
- On Thursday, August 28 and Friday, August 29, at Fason Senior High School on Tol
- On Friday, August 29, at Fanapanges Elementary School on Fanapanges
- On Saturday, August 30 at Fanomo Elementary on Udot
- On Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31, at Sappore Elementary School on Fefen
- On Sunday, August 31, at Chuuk State Hospital on Weno
Residents from any Chuuk municipality who need primary clinical care from a doctor, dentist or optometrist are encouraged to attend the most convenient clinic between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on the dates indicated above. Patients who are screened and found to be in need of more serious health treatment, such as medical or surgical procedures, will be referred to the Chuuk Department of Health Services for treatment.
Since departing California on May 1, the Mercy has visited the Philippines, Vietnam, East Timor and Papua New Guinea under the banner of an initiative called Pacific Partnership 2008. The Federated States of Micronesia will be the final port of call along the route of this historic journey. The staff and crew of 900 men and women include U.S. Navy medical personnel, U.S. Public Health Service workers, U.S. Navy Seabees and embarked members of the U.S. Army and Air Force. Partner nations that have contributed to this mission include Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Republic of South Korea, Singapore, India, Indonesia and New Zealand. Also participating in the deployment are several non-governmental organizations that provide medical, dental, construction and other humanitarian services in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.