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DAKAR, Senegal -- U.S. and Senegal militaries concluded a 19-day medical exercise with a ceremony at the Hospital Militaire De Ouakam here, Feb. 10.
The ceremony highlighted the strengthened partnership forged by the Senegalese and American medical teams after nearly three weeks of working together to provide care to approximately 700 patients.
“The MEDREX was planned and implemented with our American partners,” said Doctor-Col. Abdoul Aziz NDiaye, Director of Medicine, Senegal Armed Forces. “Through this shared experience, we have learned from each other and made it possible to take care of 522 patients in the emergency reception services and 175 patients in surgical specialties.”
This was the first of several MEDREXs planned this year by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, headquartered in Vicenza, Italy. SETAF-AF planners have coordinated each exercise with African militaries and U.S.-based Army medical providers.
The MEDREX in Senegal allowed 16 medical personnel from the 44th Medical Brigade out of Fort Bragg, N.C. and 25 medical professionals from Senegal Armed Forces to exchange medical procedures, collaborate on shared interests, and strengthen treatment capabilities. Participants were exposed to various medical delivery methods. The experience improved their capacity to assess and employ care while providing medical services to patients in the local community.
“We are so grateful for the cooperation and support of our Senegalese partners,” said Col. James Grady, SETAF-AF command surgeon. “With the generosity, patience and teamwork of Senegalese and U.S. military medical professionals, we were able to bridge geographic, language and cultural divides to improve the health and lives of those entrusted to our care.”
Throughout the course of the MEDREX, the teams from Dakar and Fort Bragg worked side by side providing surgical care, dental procedures, emergency care and OB-GYN services. While sharing techniques, lessons learned and exchanging best medical practices, they worked together to deliver babies and remove teeth, tumors and tonsils while expanded their medical knowledge.
“Collaborating with our Senegalese counterparts has truly been a rewarding and enriching experience,” said Maj. Rebecca Mercer, Intensive Care Unit registered nurse, 44th Medical Brigade. “This MEDREX has taught our medical staff different techniques and procedures that will be extremely useful in future missions.”
“We have learned so much and bonded with our Senegalese teammates over the course of this exercise. They are extremely skilled in their procedures - from the doctors and nurses to the technicians,” said Mercer.
Mercer added that even with the challenges of a language barrier, they were able to communicate and learn extensively from each other while providing care to their patients.
“This has been an amazing experience, and I would definitely do it again,” concluded Mercer.
Additional MEDREXs are slated to take place in Ghana, Morocco, Angola, South Africa, Rwanda and Chad in 2022.
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 03.03.2022 11:14 |
| Story ID: | 415647 |
| Location: | SN |
| Web Views: | 181 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, U.S., Senegal military medical exercise culminates with emphasis on partnership, by MSG Dave Thompson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
MEDREX
