MEDFLAG 10 delivers humanitarian assistance to 2,000 in Kinshasa

By Staff Sgt. Kassidy SnyderSeptember 20, 2010

Waiting to see the doctor in Kinshasa
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Congolese citizens sit in a makeshift waiting room to see medical staff of the U.S. military and Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo during a humanitarian and civic assistance outreach program Sept. 14, 2010, part of the MEDFLAG 10 e... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lining up for medical assistance in Kinshasa
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Kinshasa residents wait in line to receive medical and dental care at the Humanitarian Civic Action site Sept. 14, 2010. Approximately 2,000 residents were seen over a four-day period of MEDFLAG 10, a joint medical exercise between the U.S. military ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
The dentist will see you shortly
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A dental professional from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) calls on the next patient to be seen by the dentist during a humanitarian civic action in Kinshasa, DRC, Sept. 14, 2010. American and FARDC medical personnel ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Let me show you the way
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Angie Allmer of Jamestown, N.D., a nurse with North Dakota National Guard's state medical detachment, helps a woman walk to a patient waiting area Sept. 14 during four days of medical and dental assistance outreach in Kinshasa, Democratic Republ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo Aca,!" Crowds gathered, some with pre-registered tickets in hand, others with just a hope of being seen by a healthcare professional in Kinshasa Sept. 9.

Aca,!A"I saw a crowd of people and asked what was going on,Aca,!A? said Ousmane Kalotho Mutuala, a Kinshasa resident. Aca,!A"When they told me it was for medical care, I immediately went and got my friend who can barely see because his eyes are so bad and came back to try and get in.Aca,!A?

The lines started forming hours before the humanitarian civic action site opened its doors for medical and dental care to the residents of Kinshasa. Residents that had tickets were registered in advance, ensuring they would be seen on a certain date. Even though some residents, like Mutuala, did not have tickets, medical providers saw them.

Aca,!A"Unfortunately there is a much bigger demand then what we have assets for,Aca,!A? said Maj. Curt Kroh of Washburn, N.D., a physician assistant with the North Dakota National GuardAca,!a,,cs 814th Army Support Medical Company, which is based in Bismarck. Aca,!A"However, we stayed until we ran out of time and material.Aca,!A?

Kroh is taking part in MEDFLAG 10, a joint medical exercise that allows U.S. military medical personnel and their Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) counterparts to work side by side while providing humanitarian assistance to Kinshasa residents.

Approximately 25 FARDC and U.S. medical and dental personnel, and an additional 50 support staff, provided services. Over a four-day period, FARDC and U.S. medical personnel provided assistance to approximately 2,000 Congolese.

Patients were treated for various illnesses ranging from high blood pressure to malaria. The most common problem encountered was residents with eye problems, because they have never been examined, said Kroh. In addition to medical attention, dentists provided care ranging from basic oral hygiene to tooth extraction.

Aca,!A"The bulk of the medical care that was provided in the exam rooms was by FARDC doctors,Aca,!A? said Kroh. Aca,!A"The FARDC doctors are very well involved in the treatment of the local population.Aca,!A?

While all residents could not be seen and all problems could not be treated, residents were entered into the medical system and given referral letters for follow-up care.

Related Links:

MEDFLAG 10: Sharing medical techniques in Congo

More U.S. Army Africa news

Related STAND-TO!

More photos from MEDFLAG 10

MEDFLAG 10 coverage at U.S. Army Africa