The Ministry of Health and Wellness has completed its review of the impact of the US Naval Ship Comfort Medical Mission in Saint Lucia.

The United States Naval Ship Comfort led its humanitarian mission to Saint Lucia from Sep. 23 to Oct 2, where over 5000 patients were attended to, free of charge. General services included basic evaluation and treatment, preventative medicine, dental screening and treatment, eye care, pediatrics, dermatology and surgical care. Apart from the services offered to patients, the crew imparted knowledge and skills to local practitioners. Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sharon Belmar George elaborated on the activities.

“Other activities also occurred in the different communities during the ship’s tenure. They included the training of medical teams and nursing exchange programs, collaboration with the Environmental Health Department, community activities with the Holy Family Citizens Home, engagements with the Babonneau and Entrepot Schools, community engagements at the Gros Islet human resource centre and the Red Cross project at Aulion Dennery.”

Although patients were not able to go unto the ship for two days due to sea swells, Dr. Belmar-George said the turnout was impressive.

“In the outpatient services at the National Cultural Centre and Owen King EU Hospital a total of 4,846 patients were seen. This included adult medicine, pediatrics, dental care and optometry. In terms of surgical procedures, we saw a total of 79 surgeries which included ophthalmology, plastic surgery, maxillofacial surgery, dental surgery, pediatrics, urology and interventional radiology. We did 48 echocardiograms and 40 CT scans.”

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Department of External Affairs Irene Gaspard is grateful for the collaboration which made the mission possible, including the conduct of those seeking medical care.

“The level of cooperation that we got from the general public was phenomenal. When persons were turned away they took it as it was said. The officers were as honest as they possibly could but did not have a choice but to turn persons away when the quota was filled. We applaud Saint Lucians for their conduct and cooperation. Hopefully other opportunities for health care will surface, and hopefully that would be self sustained right here in Saint Lucia.”

The visit of the USNS Comfort was part of the ship’s five-month deployment to Latin America and the Caribbean on a medical assistance mission.