Media Release
Free U.S. Navy Animal Clinics in Chuuk This Month
August 15, 2008
The United States Hospital Ship USNS Mercy, with an embarked team of 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 colleagues, will conduct veterinary community outreach clinics at ten locations in the municipalities on islands of the Chuuk Lagoon according to the following schedule:
- On Saturday, August 23, on Udot
- On Monday, August 25, on Polle
- On Monday, August 25, on Uman
- On Tuesday, August 26, on Paata
- From Tuesday, August 26 to Friday, August 29, on Weno
- On Wednesday, August 27, on Onei
- On Thursday, August 28, on Romonum
- On Friday, August 29, on Fefen
- On Saturday, August 30,on Tonoas
- On Sunday, August 31, on Tol
Residents from any Chuuk municipality who have animals that need primary health care from a veterinarian are encouraged to participate in the most convenient clinic between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on the dates indicated above. The Weno veterinary clinic will be conducted at the offices of the Chuuk State Department of Agriculture. For the other lagoon islands listed above, mobile teams will visit each island to meet with owners and provide veterinary services to their animals.
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.