US medical mission makes final stop at Port Kaituma

Nov 20, 2008 News

Commodore Ponds is presented with a token of appreciation

The US humanitarian medical mission to Guyana, on Monday last, set up camp at its final stop to dispense medical services.
Yesterday, commander of the mission, Commodore Frank Ponds, US Charge d’ Affairs Karen Williams, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, among others, visited the makeshift clinic at the Port Kaituma Secondary School to tour the facilities.
The delegation was warmly greeted by the hundreds of school children, who were mostly waving American flags while some were proudly waving the Golden Arrowhead. There was also an interpretive dance routine and an exchange of gifts, while Commodore Ponds was presented with an intricate piece of artwork as a token of appreciation for the medical services rendered to the mining town.
Ponds also presented a gift to the schoolchildren, who had asked if they could have gone to see the vessel.
According to the commanding officer, it would have been a little difficult to take everyone to see the vessel, so he “brought the vessel” to them. He presented them with a beautiful ‘plaque-like’ photograph of the vessel.
In an overview of what was transpiring at the location, the officer with responsibility for the medical set-up at Port Kaituma, Commander John King, told media operatives that the crew was at that location for three days, and would remain until tomorrow.      
Among the services rendered were general medicine, optometry, dental services and minor surgeries, among others.
According to King, the services that were most in demand were optometry and dental services.
He also emphasised the fact that he was impressed with the general health of persons in the community, “in terms of how people are taking care of themselves…their general health status.”
As of yesterday, King noted, roughly 500 persons were treated, but he expects the figure to rise to between 1,000 and 1,500 by the time the team is ready to leave.  
Prime Minister Hinds thanked the military personnel for the services rendered, saying that, as a developing country, Guyana was in need of assistance, and health was a critical sector where help would be welcomed.
Commodore Ponds, who also addressed the gathering, expressed his thanks to the community for their support in making the mission a success thus far.

A Port Kaituma welcome

He noted that the mission has been referred to by many names, but, “Today, I call it a mission of goodwill.”
During the visit to the areas visited, namely Santa Rosa and Mabaruma, in excess of 3,500 persons received medical attention, with some more than 30 having been identified for surgeries.
At the launching of the mission, Commander Frank Ponds had said that they were advised by the relevant authorities since earlier this year that the communities which most needed the services are those in the hinterland.
He had noted that the decision was made to serve those far-flung areas, since the ship has the capability to do so.
Despite the fact that the ship is some 17 miles off Guyana’s coastline, patients in need of surgeries are flown out from the North West District by helicopters to the vessel, where surgeries are being performed.
The USS Kearsarge team will terminate its visit to Guyana on Saturday.
The USS Kearsarge, arrived on November 9 for a two-week mission, which would focus on providing medical care to Amerindian communities and carrying out construction activities in and around Georgetown.
The ship came to Guyana with some 1,500 personnel from all branches of the U.S military – Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and the Coast Guard – and included officers from the militaries of Brazil, the Netherlands, Canada and France, Ponds said.
This is the last stop for the USS Kearsarge on its mission to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Before coming to Guyana, the mission, tagged “Continuing Promise 2008″, treated some 5,700 patients at various centres in Trinidad, and also carried some 47 patients onboard for treatment and surgeries.