By Caribbean Medical News Staff
The United States Navy has offered medical services to Jamaicans, by way of one of their Navy hospital ships. The name of the ship is the ‘Comfort’ which docked at the Kingston Container Terminal (KCT). The medical team will be conducting a number of medical procedures and other outreach activities.
Philip Henry, who is a US Marine corporal and one of three Jamaican-born personnel working on the ship, said that the visit is part of efforts to maintain the relationship between the United States and allied countries.
“Its primary purpose is to continue the partnership between the United States and neighbouring countries in Southern and Central America and the Caribbean. The medical personnel will carry out different medical procedures. They will also exchange whatever expertise they have with local medical personnel,” said Henry.
He highlighted that the ship will be off-loading quite a few items that will be donated to particular institutions. “We have school supplies, medical supplies and construction supplies, and these will be going out to the local communities in Kingston and some locations in St Catherine,” he added.
In addition, they will supply engineering services to schools in Kingston and St Andrew and take part in numerous community associated activities as well as carry out veterinary procedures with local veterinarians.
Some of the medical services that will be available are: dentistry, optometry, paediatrics, women’s health and general medical.
The Comforts’ visit to Jamaica forms part of its six-month humanitarian mission across the Caribbean region. Hundreds of Jamaicans are set to receive medical care during the ship’s stay.
