Closing ceremonies were held today for the Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE) 2008 at the Santa Familia Roman Catholic School grounds in Santa Familia Village. Fourteen medical personnel from the 54th and 81st Medical Group of the U.S. Air Force worked alongside Belize Defense Soldiers in Armenia, Valley of Peace, Arenal, and Santa Familia Villages. The operation ran for ten days and 2,000 people received free medical attention. Dr. David Ives was the officer in charge of the operation.
Dr. David Ives, MEDRETE Officer in Charge
“Many of us will not have the opportunity to return but we will have indelible memories of this experience with us forever and this opportunity also will be a highlight in our Air Force careers. We spend most of our days in clinics seeing patients which has its own rewards but to be able to see someone who may have difficulty getting medical care, to see the look in the eyes of a child when they receive a teddy bear, it is better than the vitamins we give them. but to have this opportunity is a great blessing to us as medical personnel, not only to sharpen our skills in the field but to have these lasting memories of comrade with the Belizean people.”
Robert Dieter, US Ambassador
“Over the last ten days medical personnel from the MEDRETE team have provided free medical attention to some 2,000 Belizeans living in the Cayo District. These services included general medical care, dental, eye care, pediatrics, and women’s health.”
