Guyanese President, Guyana embrace Continuing Promise 2010 arrival

Courtesy Photo | Navy Capt. Thomas M. Negus, commodore of Continuing Promise 2010, stands with Guyana President H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo and salutes the U.S. flag while the American National Anthem plays during the CP10 opening ceremony held at the Berbice Regional Health Authority, Oct. 20, 2010.  

BERBICE, GUYANA

10.22.2010

Story by 1st Lt. Alejandro Aguilera 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South

BERBICE, Guyana – Distinguished leaders welcomed Continuing Promise 2010 at an opening ceremony held outside of the Berbice Regional Health Authority.

Guyanese President H .E. Bharret Jagdeo; U.S. Chief of Mission Tom Pierce; Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud ; Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and other key leaders helped commence the 10-day Humanitarian Civic Aassistance mission.

Jagdeo said the continued good relations between both the (U.S. and Guyana) has been “very beneficial to the people of the country” and cited decreasing AIDS as a specific positive result. “We are happy you are here and that you are focused on health care. We are training more doctors but we still need a helping hand,” said Jagdeo.

While in Guyana, the CP10 team offers five medical sites, at local schools and hospitals capable of providing a wide range of health services. These services include general surgery (completed aboard USS Iwo Jima), basic medical evaluation, dental screening and treatment, optometry care and health education.

In addition to medical sites, CP10 will also provide three engineering sites, a community relations event and roving preventative medicine and veterinarian teams.

“Though we bring doctors, and dentists, veterinarians and engineers, what we really bring is a message of commitment and partnership. A message best born out through our actions and deeds; our sweat and effort will be our testimony to the strength of our partnership in the spirit of our common humanity and with the ideal of building a better community,” said Navy Capt. Thomas M. Negus, commodore of CP10.

CP10 is an annual mission dedicated to bringing medical, dental, engineering and civic action assistance to host nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. This year’s mission is supported by large-deck, amphibious ship USS Iwo Jima, service members from every branch of the military including a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force and New Harmony Air Force Band of Flight, international military professionals and non-governmental organizations.

Others in attendance included Berbice Region Six Regional Chairman Mustapha Zulfikar, Chief Executive officer New Amsterdam Hospital Leslie Cadogan, CP10 Joint Medical Group Mission Commander Capt. William Tanner, USN, Commanding Officer, USS Iwo Jima Capt. Thomas Chassee, USN, and Commanding Officer Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Lt. Col. Chris S. Richie.

• Date Taken: 10.22.2010
• Date Posted: 10.22.2010 07:20
• Story ID: 58613
• Location: BERBICE, GY