Pacific Angel participants see continued bilateral cooperation

by Capt. Timothy Lundberg
36th Wing Public Affairs

5/13/2010 - CAN THO, Vietnam (AFNS) -- A U.S. and Vietnam servicemember-hosted medical clinic concluded three days of centralized free care to Vietnamese patients as part of Operation Pacific Angel 10-2 here May 12.

Servicemembers at the Tan Thoi Village Elementary School had cared for more than 1,250 patients in the pediatric, family practice, optometry, dental and women's health clinics.

Of the 1,250 patient encounters, 428 were at pediatrics, 564 family practice, 217 at optometry, 78 at dental, 51 to the women's health clinic and 2,571 prescriptions were provided to their respective patients.

Operation Pacific Angel is a joint and combined humanitarian assistance operation conducted in the Pacific area in support of U.S. Pacific Command capacity-building efforts. It also trains civil-military operators to work together with a focus on civic assistance. The medical and engineering missions are scheduled to run May 10 through 17 in Vietnam.

The Pacific Angel team has moved the second portion of medical care to Troung Thanh, a nearby village. It will be conducted May 12 through 15 and is expected to see upwards of 500 patients per day.

The level of care and professionalism showcased by the Vietnamese and their U.S. counterparts was commended by Vietnam Army Lt. Col. Duong Van Tham.

"Cooperation between the U.S. and Vietnamese military has been outstanding," said Colonel Duong. "The Vietnamese soldiers appreciate the cooperation we've seen."

In addition to the medical care provided at the school, civil engineers are continuing construction work at the Tan Thoi Village and Truong Thanh Thai Lai Medical Clinics. More doors and windows have been attached, and an additional 700 feet. of electrical wiring was installed so ceiling fans and interior lighting could be placed in the treatment facilities. In all, renovations were completed in eight of the rooms.

"A lot of meaningful work for the Vietnamese people in this rural area has been done, and this has been especially good for our relationship with the U.S. and Vietnam," Colonel Duong said. "The Americans are disciplined and have been very hard working and we've been very impressed with how they want to help."

The U.S. and Vietnam medical and civil engineer teams will continue to care for local Vietnamese residents and complete additional construction projects through May 15.