U.S. Military Medical Team Begins Two-Week Medical Mission in Saint Lucia
Between the 8th and 22nd of March, the United States’ Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) will collaborate with the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs in Saint Lucia to provide surgical and dental services to Saint Lucian nationals free of charge. The medical mission is part of the U.S. Southern Command’s (USSOUTHCOM’s) Enduring Promise mission. The visiting medical team is composed of 29 U.S. joint forces surgical and dental professionals along with support personnel who will provide free general and dental surgery at Saint Lucia’s Owen King European Hospital and at the La Clery Wellness Center.
“It is important to the U.S. to provide whatever help we can to take care of people in need,” said Lt. Col. Gentry Mobley, LAMAT Mission Commander. “Our team is ready and excited to engage in Saint Lucia, whether that be in the operating theater, the dental clinic, or around the medical facilities. We also look forward to working closely with the outstanding Saint Lucian medical professionals who serve this community every day.”
Patients have been selected by Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs in coordination with hospital medical directors, based upon the types of surgeries and procedures the U.S. Military surgeons are certified to perform; primarily Gastro-Intestinal surgery such as hernia and cyst excisions, and dental services including extractions, fillings, caries stabilization and dental hygiene-related services/cleaning. U.S. medical professionals will work side-by-side with local doctors to ensure continuity of care following all surgical procedures and the team brings with it all medicines, supplies, and equipment necessary for the operations and will leave surplus supplies with the hospital. The team will also undertake other activities including Emergency Medicine Training, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support training and laparoscopy training.
The mission is part of SOUTHCOM’s series of medical assistance operations aimed to build partnerships, provide relief to overwhelmed medical facilities, and improve the region’s collective ability to meet complex global challenges.