Troops provide medicine to remote villagers in Djibouti

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse B. AwaltMarch 19, 2009

Deworming medicine
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (Army News Service, March 19, 2009) -- Servicemembers traveled throughout remote regions of Djibouti March 7-14 to provide medical and public health aid to more than 2,000 villagers.

During the Medical Civil Action Project, a joint-service team administered deworming medication, over-the-counter drugs for minor ailments, and provided acute care to residents of Hanle II, Daoydaouya, and an unnamed village in the Gaggade desert.

The MEDCAP team from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa included Soldiers from the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade, 489th Civil Affairs force protection personnel, Sailors from Camp Lemonier's Expeditionary Medical Facility, and medics from the 414th Civil Affairs Battalion.

"What we are doing here is a proven and effective public health intervention," said Army Maj. Remington Nevin, a public health physician assigned to the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade.

" Administering Albendazole to every eligible member of the community is a recommended practice in this part of Africa," Nevin said. "In addition to killing roundworms, which we feel is the principal benefit, this same medication can help to eradicate Filariasis, as well as a number of other neglected tropical diseases."

To plan the project, CJTF-HOA worked with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Djiboutian Minister of Health to identify areas of the country where health care is not easily accessible.

"They were not looking for sites that were close to the main road at all. They were really looking for the sites that were in the remote regions," said the MEDCAP's mission commander, Army Lt. Col. Todd Nord of the 360th.

The rocky terrain leading to areas like the Gaggade desert can present challenges for those who are willing to drive into it.

"It is not flatland and desert as one may think of when they think of Africa. There are mountainous ranges and regions and gorges, which make access to rendering healthcare to people somewhat difficult," said Army Col. Lorrie Oldham of 354th Civil Affairs Functional specialty team, currently assigned to the 360th.

"The United States government and its military services are able to get, in concert with the Djiboutian government and the minister of health, to these remote locations to provide healthcare," Oldham said.

In addition to the Djiboutian government, it was necessary for CJTF-HOA to obtain the respect and permission of tribal and village elders to treat the citizens of their villages.

"When we get the permission of the village chief to come here, then it is very important that we show up, because they then via word of mouth spread the word out to the outlying community," Oldham said.

"Its not as simple as a TV or a radio or a newspaper or Internet or Twitter or text messaging or any of those things that are out there; this is truly word of mouth. People will come early, they will walk miles," Oldham said. "Usually, when we pull up to a village to set up, there are about 100 to 200 people waiting on us to get started."

The presence of village leaders helps the MEDCAP team gain the trust of the people they treat. In Hanle II, village chief Ali Gadito Ali made sure the citizens of his village witnessed him taking a dose of Albendazole before assisting in its distribution.

"They don't know you, and they know me. Of course they get more confidence and they are happy when they see me right here. I showed them the good example. I drank it up and everybody started drinking it," Ali said. "If I don't drink it, nobody is going to drink it.

"We really appreciate what you all have done for us and we welcome you here. It is very beneficial for the village, what you have done for us. I would like to thank all of you," he told the servicemembers.

CJTF-HOA's efforts to treat remote villages reflect the command's goal of building security capacity in the Horn of Africa. Through a strategy of conflict prevention, the task force helps to build the internal security capacities of countries at risk to prevail against extremists exploiting instability.

"Adm. Zinni, the retired commander of CENTCOM (U.S. Central Command) said it best, that the real enemies in today's world are things like poor health," said Nevin. "Good health has many benefits aside from simply establishing contacts here on this mission. It lays the groundwork for true stability and lasting peace in this region."

Maj. Marc Riciti, a physicians assistant assigned to the 360th, contemplated the long view of the medical care he provided.

"I think the children will be the ones who benefit the most from us being here," Riciti said. "They're the ones who are going to remember us, they are the ones who are going to remember the Americans coming over and handing out soccer balls, taking care of illnesses, taking care of their families and that sort of thing.

"This is how we develop a generation of folks who will remember a time when we were here and will remember us in a good light."

Related Links:

U.S. Africa Command

U.S. Army Africa