Last night, we told you that the U.S. Navy's hospital ship, the "USNS Comfort" is in Belizean waters. Belize is the first stop on its four-month partnership for the America's mission. The massive vessel has ten times the capacity of the KHMH but, as we reported last night, the mission to Belize has been somewhat downscaled. Still, there are 12 operating rooms, four intensive care units, and a dentistry unit. But for its first two days in Belize - most of the free medical care has been provided onshore at Price Barracks in Ladyville which has been converted into a makeshift primary care clinic. Keith Swift has the story.
Keith Swift Reporting
This afternoon 8-year-old Shania Johnson along with her mother and two other family members were suited up for a ride on this U.S. Navy MH60 Sierra helicopter. They were preparing to head out on a short journey by flight for what could be a life changing surgery for 8-year-old Shania. Her mom Erlene Johnson says Shania suffers from an eye deformity.
Erlene Johnson, Mother
"I brought her with the eye and it is an inheritance so even if maybe they can give her glasses, they say they are promising anything but if they could give her glasses to help her a little I will really appreciate it."
Keith Swift,
So you're hopeful?
Erlene Johnson,
"Yes sir."
Shania Johnson, Needs Eye Surgery
"Yes sir."
And just as Shania and her family were flying out in the helicopter enroute to the USNS Comfort, docked 6 miles from Belize's shoreline, on the ground at Price Barracks 10-year-old Wendy Betancourt was putting on a new pair of glasses. She has an eye problem and had an old pair of glasses but those weren't working.
Keith Swift,
Why did you come to the doctor today?
Wendy Betancourt,
"To see my eyes."
Keith Swift,
What was wrong with your old glasses?
Wendy Betancourt,
"I couldn't see through it."
Both 10-year-old Wendy and 8 year old Shania are benefiting from medical assistance provided by the military sealift command ship - USNS Comfort. We can't show you it because its docked 6 miles from the coast but here at Price Barracks they've set up a primary healthcare clinic - and it is not just eye care. We were there this afternoon as a couple teeth were being checked and cleaned in a dental lab and medicine being handed out from a pharmacy.
Captain Linda Brown-Vidal is commander of the operations onshore which consists of 50 doctors, nurses, and support staff.
Capt. Linda Brown-Vidal, USNS Comfort
"We are seeing pediatric patients, adult medicine, we are providing optometry, physical therapy, pharmacy, dentistry, and I think that's it."
The Captain says that those patients who need surgeries - like Shania did - will be transported by helicopter to the USNS Comfort. But most patients will be dealt on onshore.
Capt. Linda Brown-Vidal,
"The major concern has been dental, teeth that fillings or teeth that need to be pulled. I think that was our number one. For primary care we treat here and for optometry, if they need glasses, we can make the glasses on site. We have had some surgical patients today, predominantly pediatric patients, and we have done is we have med-evac them on the helicopter to the ship to see the specialist on the ship to see if they can do their surgery."
One woman who doesn't know if she'll need surgery is Laura Rudon. She recently suffered a heart attack.
Laura Rudon,
"I came to see the doctor concerning my health. Two weeks ago I had a heart attack and that's why I came to see the doctor. But since I've heard that they do glasses also, they do eye tests, so I decided to do the eye test. I know I had problems with my eyes because I had glasses, actually I had because I don't use them anymore, they are weak, after a year they get weak, so I decided to redo my eye test."
Captain Vidal hopes that by the end of the day her team at Price Barracks would have seen 500 patients. Reporting for 7NEWS, I am Keith Swift.
Clinic was also being held in Valley of Peace where that U.S. reports that 500 people were treated. If you are interested in receiving treatment, you can check with the hospital in your area for more information. Stay tuned on Monday when we'll take you onto the ship.
