The floating medical center, the USNS Mercy, with it’s crew of some 900, arrived in Roxas City, Philippines to begin their mission for Pacific Partnership 2015 (PP-15).
Image/Jim Bedient
According to the US Pacific Command (PACOM), medical staff aboard Mercy will perform surgical procedures and will host community health engagements, and also provide direct care in seven locations throughout the province of Capiz. Training, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief are other things the crew will be performing.
“PP15 is such a wonderful opportunity for our medical teams because they get the chance to work side-by-side with the Philippine medical community. We learn so much from each other and this collaboration strengthens our international partnership and better prepares us to respond to natural disasters throughout the region,” said Capt. Melanie Merrick, the commanding officer of the medical treatment facility on board Mercy.
Joining the US in the PP-15 events include Australia, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, and New Zealand.
Fiji, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Republic of Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Republic of the Philippines and Vietnam are all scheduled to host this year’s Pacific Partnership mission.
The USNS Mercy features an 80 bed intensive care ward, 400 intermediate and light care beds, 12 operating rooms and a total capacity of 1000 beds. In addition, the ship has a full service laboratory, radiology department with CT, and many of the other ancillary services found in a land-based hospital.
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Dear Sir/Madam:
When will you go back here in the philippines for medical mission?