Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019

By Spc. Taylor M. Smith, 319th MPADMay 28, 2019

Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
1 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – San Sebastián, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, residents check in to receive medical and dental care May 20, 2019 at a medical readiness training exercise during Beyond the Horizon 2019. Guatemala Ministry of Public Health, U.S. Forces, Florida Inte... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
2 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Guatemalan medical student Alejandro Ixquiac checks a San Sebastián, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, resident's blood pressure May 20, 2019 during a medical readiness training exercise during Beyond the Horizon, 2019. Guatemala Ministry of Public He... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
3 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
4 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – San Sebastián, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, residents check in to receive medical and dental care May 20, 2019 at a medical readiness training exercise during Beyond the Horizon 2019. Guatemala Ministry of Public Health, U.S. Forces, Florida Inte... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
5 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Streets are blocked off in preparation for a medical readiness training exercise during Beyond the Horizon, San Sebastian, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, May 20, 2019. The Guatemala Ministry of Public Health, U.S. Forces, Florida International University ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
6 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Zachary Beam, a general surgeon assigned to the Missouri National Guard Medical Detachment, provides medical care to a San Sebastián, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, resident May 20, 2019 during a medical readiness training exercise during Bey... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
7 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Adam White, a doctor assigned to the Missouri National Guard Medical Detachment, provides medical care to a San Sebastián, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, resident May 20, 2019 during a medical readiness training exercise during Beyond the Hori... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
8 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Dr. Freddy Alvarez of Palm Harbor, Fla., carefully examines a young girl and her mother at a medical readiness training exercise during Beyond the Horizon, San Sebastian, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, May 20, 2019. The Guatemala Ministry of Public Health... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
9 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Dr. Leo Diaz of Miami, Fla., writes a prescription for a young woman at a medical readiness training exercise during Beyond the Horizon, San Sebastian, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, May 20, 2019. The Guatemala Ministry of Public Health, U.S. Forces, Flor... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
10 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Abby Boschert, a dentist assigned to the Missouri National Guard Medical Detachment, pulls two teeth from a young boy at a medical readiness training exercise during Beyond the Horizon, San Sebastian, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, May 20, 2019. The ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
11 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Zachary Beam, a general surgeon assigned to the Missouri National Guard Medical Detachment, provides medical care to a San Sebastián, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, child May 20, 2019, as the baby tried playing with the stethoscope during a m... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
12 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Air Force Reserve Sr. Airman Zachary Cameron, a pharmacy technician assigned to the 87th Medical Support Squadron, reconstitutes antibiotic suspension during a medical readiness training exercise during Beyond the Horizon, 2019. Guatemala Minist... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
13 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Guatemalan Ministry of Public Health nurse writes referrals for patients during a medical readiness training exercise during Beyond the Horizon, 2019. Guatemala Ministry of Public Health, U.S. Forces, Florida International University non-government... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
14 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Guatemalan Ministry of Public Health nurse writes referrals for patients during a medical readiness training exercise during Beyond the Horizon, 2019. Guatemala Ministry of Public Health, U.S. Forces, Florida International University non-government... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
15 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Eric Seaberg, a dentist assigned to the Missouri National Guard Medical Detachment, prepares a young girl for a tooth extraction by using a Novocain injection to block pain at a medical readiness training exercise during Beyond the Horizon, San... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
16 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – San Sebastián, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, residents stand in line to receive medical and dental care May 20, 2019 at a medical readiness training exercise during Beyond the Horizon 2019. Guatemala Ministry of Public Health, U.S. Forces, Florida... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
17 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Eric Seaberg, a dentist assigned to the Missouri National Guard Medical Detachment, prepares a young girl for a tooth extraction by having her sit up and move her jaw to let the Novocain take effect at a medical readiness training exercise duri... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Partners bring medical assistance to residents during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019
18 / 18 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Eric Seaberg, a dentist assigned to the Missouri National Guard Medical Detachment, extracts a young girl's tooth at a medical readiness training exercise during Beyond the Horizon, San Sebastian, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, May 21, 2019. The Gua... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HUEHUETENANGO, Guatemala - The sounds of hundreds of people talking, babies crying, and children playing fill the air as U.S. Forces ready tents and supplies to treat Guatemalan citizens in need of medical care during a medical readiness training exercise in San Sebastián, Huehuetenango, during Beyond the Horizon, May 20-24, 2019.

Beyond the Horizon is an annual exercise designed to build partner nation capacity for civil and military response to major disasters. The relationships built and sustained through this exercise demonstrate the ability of the U.S. and regional partners to access and execute disaster relief activities throughout Central America.

Medical, dental and vision care was provided by multiple organizations that include Soldiers from the Missouri National Guard Medical Detachment, U.S. Army Reserve 185th Dental Company, U.S. Air Force Reserve 87th Medical Support Squadron, Guatemala Ministry of Public Health, non-governmental organization Florida International University and Guatemalan forces over five days and helped provide needed medical and dental care for citizens of San Sebastian, Huehuetenango.

Providers saw more than 3,700 residents over five days. More than 1,600 people were seen by general medicine, almost 1,700 went through dental, 750 had their vision checked in optometry, and almost 1,000 children were seen in pediatrics.

"Some of these people have had very little medical care," said Capt. Tabitha Osiier, a medical services officer assigned to the Missouri Med. Det. "This makes a very big impact on them, whether it's giving vitamins or dental extractions."

People appreciated the attention to their health needs, she said.

"Every single person I spoke to who has come through the MEDRETE has been incredibly thankful for the care we've been able to provide."

In addition to helping those in need, this training is crucial for Soldiers, as it allows them to practice hands-on skills, collaborate with different organizations and work through translators to communicate.

"When it comes to unit-level operations, a lot of our soldiers haven't had the opportunity to work in that environment before," said Osiier. "It was a really good chance for our team to work together and exercise our adaptability in a challenging environment with a broader range of patient needs."

Part of the challenge was understanding the capabilities of each participating entity and applying that to patient care with respect to the number of services they could provide each patient, she said. They wanted to give residents as many services as they could, in the time allotted, without causing inefficiencies.

"We've practiced for these exercises back at home, but nothing compares to the real thing. Out in the field, we are going to encounter situations we couldn't have foreseen or prepared for," said Pvt. Isaiah Ramirez, a Soldier assigned to the Missouri National Guard Medical Detachment.

Adding to the complexity was working in an area with people that speak multiple languages. In Guatemala, it is common for people to speak Spanish or Mam, a Mayan language, which has many different dialects itself. Along with English and Spanish translators, the mission also required Spanish and Mam translators, which were provided by the Guatemalan army civil affairs.

In addition to the medical and dental care, pharmaceutical services were also provided to give antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, vitamins, and other commonly used medications that are readily available in the United States, but not as easily accessible in Guatemala.

If patients required additional care, the Guatemalan Ministry of Public Health nurse wrote referrals for more advanced care through the Guatemalan health system.

Other missions being carried out during exercise Beyond the Horizon 2019 include: veterinary readiness training exercises; four construction projects that include one medical center and three schools; and operations staff to provide meals, clean water, laundry and shower facilities, logistical support, planning operations, medical support, religious activities, to name a few. This year's iteration of Beyond the Horizon runs from May to August 2019.

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