NR-07.055 - June 15, 2007
Ottawa – The Canadian Forces Health Services has deployed physicians, nurses, physiotherapists and dental personnel on board two U.S. Navy vessels undertaking humanitarian-type initiatives in underserved areas of the South West Pacific, the Caribbean and Latin America, during the next four months.
Over 25 Canadian Forces (CF) healthcare personnel will be participating with U.S. sailors, host nation medical authorities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in providing medical, dental and other humanitarian-assistance programs to countries such as the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Haiti, El Salvador, Ecuador and Surinam.
“Canadian Forces Health Services personnel participating with these U.S. Navy-sponsored deployments will learn a great deal both professionally and personally by serving in a challenging and rewarding environment,” said Brigadier-General Hilary Jaeger, Commander of CF Health Services Group. She adds, “During the ships’ many stops, CF healthcare personnel will be bringing help to people in remote areas where there is a real need for medical and dental attention.”
A total of 19 CF Health Services personnel will travel with the hospital ship USNS COMFORT in the Caribbean and Latin America regions. A regular rotation of CF personnel will allow it to maintain two physicians, two nurses, a physiotherapist, a dental officer and a dental technician with the ship throughout its deployment between June 15 and October 14, 2007.
The CF will also provide a total of eight military healthcare personnel onboard the amphibious ship USS PELELIU in the South West Pacific region between May 29 and September 12, 2007. Regular rotation of CF members will allow a physician, dental officer and dental technician to work from the USS PELELIU, which was configured with special medical equipment, a robust multi-specialized team of preventative medicine personnel, construction personnel, engineering and civic assistance personnel, and a surgical team for its mission.
CF Health Services personnel participated in a similar mission in the Pacific on board the hospital ship USNS MERCY in 2006.
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