(c) Inadequate crowd control at health fairs; uniform items and medical
tools were stolen.
(d) HN dental resources not adequately identified by planning teams.
There were 10 dentists and a dental school at the hospital, where only 1 dentist
had been identified by the advanced echelon (ADVON)/predeployment site
survey (PDSS).
(e) No pre-brief from the ADVON while we were anchored. No POC or
pre-event site visit arranged prior to 1st day’s activities.
(f) Lack of adequate medical screening tools at health fair sites.
(g) Translation services from LDS with varying quality; no medical
translators.
(h) Late start on first day due to transportation problems created friction
between HN & PP13 staff. This was the only team not to receive a thank-you
celebration and gifts from the host nation at the end of the engagement.
(i) Team members rotated daily, hindering ability to develop effective
team dynamics.
(j) Nursing symposium topics planned were not what HN nurses wanted/
needed.
(2) Successes:
(a) Overall, lessons learned from Samoa were applied. Execution of
events was much smoother.
(b) PP13 medical staff received a Humanitarian Civic Assistance Strategy
brief during transit from Samoa and Tonga. Staff voiced better understanding of
mission objectives and ability to adapt engagements as needed with this in mind.
(c) Dental staff showed great flexibility and initiative in meeting HN needs
by contacting the dental school and setting up a mini-dental conference.
(d) Nursing symposium was well-received. Topics were easily adjusted at
HN request and focused on CPR "train the trainer" course over three days with
additional topics. Corps-staff and medics were embedded with nurses, making
great use of their skills. HN nursing students responded well and actively
engaged with young staff (likely due to peer age group).
(e) Radio announcements were used to market health fairs, clinics, and
vet events, positively impacting attendance; however, some information was
incorrect, and people showed up expecting services not being provided (i.e., eye
exams).
(f) Vets partnered with local branch of New Zealand-based NGO South
Pacific Animal Welfare for events. They supported programs already in place by
providing increased surgical, SMEE, and community education capacity.
(g) Preventive Medicine worked closely with MOH officials in food safety,
vector surveillance, and water/sanitation. In each area MOH had a plan in place.
PP13 staff worked with MOH employees to support strategies for execution of
their plans.
Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)
This mission stop depended on LCU, RHIB, and water taxi for ship to shore
transport. The PHB was anchored approximately 1.5 miles, making short transit
times of 15-30 minutes. The mission was split between 2 islands, Majuro and
Ebeye, each with a very different level of development and resources. We had
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